[directhex]

note: Free-To-Air and Free-To-View are not the same.

FTV channels are encrypted, using encryption keys available for "free" from Sky. You are subject to a Sky contract to access FTV content, even if you aren't paying (e.g. "freesat from sky" is a pure FTV offering).

FTA channels are unencrypted, and can be viewed using any kit. the BBC channels, for example, are FTA, whilst channel 5 is FTV.