Is it possible to steal Sky TV?

[Barry Scott]

I don't have Sky and have never really been inclined to have it. My sister went away for a few months a little while back, so i robbed her Sky box and card and set it up in my flat (we have a Sky dish on the roof, so have Sky running throughout).

It worked fine, no problem all the channels etc. Nice.

Anyway, i got quite into having more than 4 channels, so decided to phone Sky and consider getting it. Being cheeky i said to the sales man, that i could just get multi-room with a family member and move the box to my place. He went silent and said it's illegal, which to me shouted that it's completely possible.

Anyway if you're still with me after reading through my pointless bollocks and filler, it's possible to do that isn't it?

[Batch]

Both boxes in a multiroom have to be connected to the same phone line. Sky DO police this.

[Sussex]

It's only £45 a month for the lot you tight bastard!  

[Barry Scott]

They check the phone lines? They can only do that though if you plug it though no? Surely if i just took it out the house and never plugged it in, as i did with my sister's box (that sounds fucking nasty), then they'd be none the wiser? I suppose i could just try it?

Sussex, i know i'm being a right penny pinching cunt, especially as i'll only get the £16 package! I just prefer to pay less for something if i can find a way around it. It also excites me knowing i'm doing something i shouldn't!

[Simon Pieman]

This (rather ironically) reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer steals cable tv.

Mrs. Albright: Yes, Bart?
Bart: Are there pirates in Hell?
Mrs. Albright: Yes, thousands of them.
Bart: (rubs hands) Hoo hoo, baby!

[Batch]

They check the phone lines? They can only do that though if you plug it though no?

That's the point! Sky boxes phone home periodically. If they don't get the "ring back" from the boxes from the same phone line (that it is registered to) after a certain time they'll assume you are a thieving git and peruse it.

They don't care too much whether the single subscription boxes are plugged in. Though technically you should for the firs year.

[Bogus Dave]

They check the phone lines? They can only do that though if you plug it though no?

That's the point! Sky boxes phone home periodically. If they don't get the "ring back" from the boxes from the same phone line (that it is registered to) after a certain time they'll assume you are a thieving git and peruse it.

They don't care too much whether the single subscription boxes are plugged in. Though technically you should for the firs year.

is that why my phone beeps occasionally?

[Simon Pieman]

That's when someone tries to phone you Dave.

[Bogus Dave]

its not a full on ring, but just a 'beep', like what you'd hear in the movies

[Batch]

That's when someone tries to phone you Dave.

In all seriousness, no idea Dave. Can't see why an outgoing sky box call would make the phone ring.

You haven't got bt answerphone or any other services have you? On second thoughts that usually uses stutter dial tone to let you know there is a message anyway.

[blinkpip]

I like to point out, my box is no longer connected to a phone line. The line broke two years ago, sky been working find since.

[Batch]

I like to point out, my box is no longer connected to a phone line. The line broke two years ago, sky been working find since.

Is it part of a multiroom?

[Dazzza]

I'm sure you only have to plug it in for the first 12 months after that it's up to you.  Check the old contract though it'll be in the small print.

If you get hassled just tell them you've had an engineer round and the socket it's plugged into is faulty.

[Batch]

Ok, last post, promise, the 12 month thing is only true of single boxes during the 12 month "interactive discount" period. In reality I don't think they really care whether you plug it in to the phone line or not.

Multiroom need the boxes to be plugged in contractually whilst you are subscribed to multiroom, even after 12 months. They hassle you if the callback fails a number of times. It's to stop people doing what Barry wants to do.

http://packages.sky.com/see/EquipmentMultiroom.aspx

Multiroom subscription: £10 a month. Provides the same Sky digital channels as your main Sky digital subscription on a second box in another room. You must be a Sky digital subscriber at all times during your Multiroom subscription. Equipment that receive your first and Multiroom subscription(s) must all be connected to the same fixed telephone line at all times. An extra box is required for each Multiroom subscription. If you do not take up the free Sky box offer, a standard Sky box costs £49

[blinkpip]

I like to point out, my box is no longer connected to a phone line. The line broke two years ago, sky been working find since.

Is it part of a multiroom?

Yes, had no problems at all, all boxes(3).