h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I Live in Germany and currently have Sky Analog but I have been told that this will beturned off next year. How can I get Sky Digital in Germany without taking up there offer of 40GBP installation fee!
Help I can't live without my dose of English TV - Not to mention Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel!

Did you ever get an answer to this? The answer is: you can't. Apparently it has something to do with the telephone (don't ask me, I haven't a clue) and you have to be in uk for this. We're about to lose it all too. Sniff.
Where abouts in Germany are you?

I never got a reply to this but I did some snooping of my own.
I have friends in the UK who work for a sub of Sky and, Sky Digital will work over here as long as your dish has a digital receiver.
I also called sky and asked them if I wanted to take my sky digital in the Carovan around the UK can this be done, the answer is yes - so it can be moved around the countryside!
They say you need the telephone line, but really they just connect you to there telephone service in case you wish to switch your telephone provider.
So the good news is I will have Digital in October, I go back to the UK get them to install it at mey UK residence and then just take it with me when I go!
Sky always say that it will not work over here as legally they do not have the license, so even analog is not legal over here.
I'm in the Stuttgart area at present, I have been here for over a year and as much as I love this place I am still having problems with the language, so any tips on that I would be very grateful.

BCNU
RP :o)

you'll probably still need to get it installed by the sky people the new minidishes are a hell of a lot more sensitive than the analog ones and need to be aligned, which makes me wonder about this whole caravan idea.

Oh. Please let me know how you get on. I can't face living over here without all my programmes. I have been here for yonks and yonks. I speak fluent German. But I'm not German and I hate their tv (well, most of it, some stuff is ok). So... pllleeeeaaasssee let me know how you get on. I like all the subterfuge though.
About Sky not having a licence. According to my research it is against some European law or other which forbids the transmission of subscription (ie. paid for) services from one european country into another. As we all know, it works, but it's still not legal. I'm hoping this will change soon, I want my kids to be able to enjoy all the programmes that I watched as a kid (clangers etc.) which they can watch on Nick Jr.
Tips about the language:
1) get a German girl/boy-friend
2) watch tv / listen to radio
3) encourage everyone to speak to you in German
4) write 5 new German words on Post-It notes every evening, put them on your bathroom mirror whilst cleaning your teeth, test yourself in the morning. If you know them put the post it in a book. If you don't, leave it there until you do. Regularly review your book in case you forget some words (don't laugh, over a year that's 1,825 new words. You can do it with 2 phrases instead, which is actually better for your grammar - this was a tip I used to give to my English students, and it works)
5) speak English very slowly and loudly and point at thinks. Works for the rest of us

does sky digital allow you to listen to BBC radio? I just wouldn't cope without propper radio.

Sky Analog allows you to pick up most radio stations, I get Radio 1,2,3,4, Virgin and even Asda FM!
As for the mini dish I know how hard it can be with the dishes, I have mine currently on a pole in a umbrella stand for a patio set, in my bedroom, everytime I wish to watch TV I open the windo and stick it out. Sounds strange I know but it has taken me 9 months to get permission from the various councils which will allow me to attach it to the house. As it costs a pretty penny to do this I will wait till I get the digital system and then get it connected properly.
Thanks for the suggestions on sorting out the language, I will try the 5 word's a day thing, I have loads of postit notes all over my house on various items to remind what they are and if they are male/female etc..!

Have fun

Red!

Good Luck with the German - although, you know, *adopting schoolmarm voice* you won't integrate if you sit in your room watching British TV!!!!!!
Don't forget to let us know how you get on with the Digital though, we live in the middle of nowhere and don't even get most German channels without a dish!

Beware of Sky Digital system installers in the UK. The cowboy who installed my daughter's dish ran the cable over the top of the roof instead of through the roof space. When her landlord complained, she tried to get it rectified but was told it would cost £100 because they were not insured to work in roof spaces!
Watch out --- Murdoch will control your thoughts!!!!!!!

Any news on getting Sky Digital her in Germany yet? I'm gradually losing my channels (better than losing my marbles I suppose) and my kids are moaning for Nick Jr.

I now have Sky Digital, I brought it back from the UK with me after christmas. You have to by Digibox as the offer from Sky to upgrade means that you have to have the telephone line connect for a year.
Bring the box over and as long as your Sat. Dish has a Digital LNB (or whatever that thing on the end is call), you will be able to get the programmes. I paid a someone to install my dish, cost 164DM all in, as for subscription its the same as Analog get the card to a UK address and get them to send to you. Great bonus of Sky Digital is you get BBC1, BBC2 and Channel 4.

Have fun

R :O)