Cheapest Sky subscription?

I've done my research - as best I can - and thorough web searching and I
still have a few questions. I'm not cheeky enough to expect answers to all
but any help would be appreciated:

1) The current "Free Sky" offer is due to end soon. Sure as **** though, the
consensus seems to be, that a new offer will be on the horizon in the not
too distant future. Is this the case? (Also, whilst I would probably stay
with a "World" package, what's the minimum time for downgrade to a cheaper
subscription without being penalised?)

2) Is there any way of subscribing to Sky, as a new subscriber, with a good
equipment and install fee offer with a choice of digibox? I notice that the
current offer is clear that Sky will choose the make of digibox. Is Sky
still tending to err on the side of Amstrad?

3) Is there still a difference between programming on Sky and other cable
providers such as NTL? I remember in the 90s a few instances where, say,
different Sky1 programs were broadcast at the same time on Sky and NTL
(presumably as a result of NTL's failure to cough up extra for UK premier
rights??)

4) There was an offer - must have been at least a couple of years ago - of a
Sony digibox at £159. Is a similar offer still available? Even if not can
anyone remember the name of the company that was selling the box? (My Google
searching skills don't lead to the answer).

"Gareth" wrote in message
...
I've done my research - as best I can - and thorough web searching and I
still have a few questions. I'm not cheeky enough to expect answers to all
but any help would be appreciated:

1) The current "Free Sky" offer is due to end soon. Sure as **** though,
the
consensus seems to be, that a new offer will be on the horizon in the not
too distant future. Is this the case? (Also, whilst I would probably stay
with a "World" package, what's the minimum time for downgrade to a cheaper
subscription without being penalised?)

You can downgrade after the first month, Offers are available all the time !

2) Is there any way of subscribing to Sky, as a new subscriber, with a
good
equipment and install fee offer with a choice of digibox? I notice that
the
current offer is clear that Sky will choose the make of digibox. Is Sky
still tending to err on the side of Amstrad?

All boxes are of the same standard these days, You could get a wide range of
boxes, You can also goto an independant installer who wont do the free
installation but may give you a choice of boxes.

3) Is there still a difference between programming on Sky and other cable
providers such as NTL? I remember in the 90s a few instances where, say,
different Sky1 programs were broadcast at the same time on Sky and NTL
(presumably as a result of NTL's failure to cough up extra for UK premier
rights??)

No Idea

4) There was an offer - must have been at least a couple of years ago - of
a
Sony digibox at £159. Is a similar offer still available? Even if not can
anyone remember the name of the company that was selling the box? (My
Google
searching skills don't lead to the answer).

Sony boxes are no longer produced, If you require a Sony box try Ebay. the
boxes provided by sky are now of the same specification apart from the
optical out which only provides a stereo signal anyway !

Mark