Alternatives to Sky - tv,calls and net packages?

lea2012

Hi

I have recently had my hours cut at work by quite a lot so I have been going through my finances to see where I could save some money and realised I am paying £50 a month nearly for my sky package!
This package includes a basic tv with kids channels and news channels but no sports or movies, line rental, eve/wknd calls only and a 10mb download internet a month.

I am pretty sure I could find it cheaper elsewhere and I am even considering going to freeview or free sat as don't really watch half of the stuff anyway as never have time!
The only channels that do get watched a lot are the disney chnnel and cbeebies by ny daughter and sky sports news for my partner. We do use the internet and I am now at home a bit more in the daytime so may use the phone occasionally in the day now.

Anyone have any suggestions as I am a bit lost in it all and have heard bad reviews about virgin / bt although i'm sure none as bad as sky! I have been saying for ages I would cancel as their service has been apalling but now have a real reason to leave and go elsewhere!!

any help appreciated. thanks.

macman

Bear in mind that if you dump Sky subscription TV then you will lose your broadband. And if you are on a Sky LLU line then you will need to take your line rental back to BT on a 12m contract before you can get broadband from anyone else.
Basic Sky TV with line rental, E&W calls and free basic 2Mbps/2GB capped broadband should be around £30 on LLU, add a fiver if you want a faster uncapped bb service.

will-in-estoril

lea2012 wrote: »

Hi

I have recently had my hours cut at work by quite a lot so I have been going through my finances to see where I could save some money and realised I am paying £50 a month nearly for my sky package!
This package includes a basic tv with kids channels and news channels but no sports or movies, line rental, eve/wknd calls only and a 10mb download internet a month.

We do use the internet and I am now at home a bit more in the daytime so may use the phone occasionally in the day now.

1. Split your bill into its three component parts: satellite TV, line rental/calls and broadband.
2. As advised check whether or not your line is unbundled (LLU). This is really the key to your saving. If it is unbundled check the cost of a new line. This link may be useful as a guide. http://www.homephonechoices.co.uk/partner-mse/how-to-get-a-new-phone-line.html
   
3. If it is not unbundled you can move your phone to another provider. This will allow you to cancel your $ky satellite subscription (as $ky Talk is only available to TV subscribers.) See Martin's article. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/home-phone-calls
4. Once cancelled you will be left with free to view and free to air channels. On digital satellite this does not include $ky Sports News or Disney, but does include the BBC children's channels. However, if you get a Freeview box (digital terrestrial) you will be able to get $ky Sports News free as well as the forementioned BBC channels.
5. Broadband is relatively inexpensive these days. Again see Martin's article. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/?tab=13

I really do think that your situation shows how moving TV, phone and broadband under one roof with $ky can be a one way road. I hope you can extracate yourself, but do come back and seek further help.

lovenkrands

you get sky sports news with freeview.

will-in-estoril

lovenkrands wrote: »

you get sky sports news with freeview.

As mentioned in point 4 above!

ClaireB7

If do you move away from Sky, just remember that £10 of your current £50pm is made up of line rental - which you would still have to pay to your new provider.

The real saving would be if you could 'cope' with downgrading (so to speak) from Sky TV to Freeview. Are the Disney channels available on Freeview/FreeSat ?

I also think you'd be hard pressed to get up-to 10mb (and 10gb download allowance) + e/w calls for £5pm (which it sounds like you're currently getting) from anybody else.

will-in-estoril

ClaireB7 wrote: »

If do you move away from Sky, just remember that £10 of your current £50pm is made up of line rental - which you would still have to pay to your new provider.

The real saving would be if you could 'cope' with downgrading (so to speak) from Sky TV to Freeview. Are the Disney channels available on Freeview/FreeSat ?

I also think you'd be hard pressed to get up-to 10mb (and 10gb download allowance) + e/w calls for £5pm (which it sounds like you're currently getting) from anybody else.

Yes, it really is all or nothing. $ky Talk is only available to TV subscribers, as far as I know, so that the OP needs to unravel this package completely.

Disney is only available via pay TV.