Sky TV retention deals ( post your haggling successes )

JulesWinnfield

Detail_Merchant said:

I guess they think Ofcom are wrong too - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/bills-and-charges/protecting-consumers-from-uncertain-and-volatile-inflation/

Though it looks like Sky have form for ignoring Ofcom requirements - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/bulletins/enforcement-bulletin/all-cases/cw_01254/confirmation-decision---sky/?v=321052

In section 7.5 of that decision it says "Sky maintained its position that its pay TV services did not fall within the definition of an ECS and, as such, were not covered by the obligations under General Condition C1.10"

So Sky seem to think that Ofcom's rules don't apply to them (re Pay TV).

From your second link, and quoted elsewhere on this the MSE website earlier in the month “Some others offer contracts that permit for unspecified price rises during the contract period. If they do this, they must give customers 30 days’ notice and the right to exit penalty-free, so consumers can avoid these price rises if they want”.

It is this paragraph I’ve quoted back to Sky, twice now, and on both occasions they’ve insisted I am wrong, as is the source I quoted, namely MSE.

I’ve tweeted Martin Lewis, but don’t expect a response. I do however hope that he or someone representing MSE does pick up on this with a view to seeking clarification once and for all and challenging Sky, if appropriate.

Detail_Merchant

I don't think this will be resolved any time soon.
Ofcom introduced rules requiring companies (including Pay TV providers) to give warning to customers when their contract is about to end (between 10 and 40 days beforehand) - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/service-quality/companies-must-tell-customers-about-their-best-deals back in February 2020.

Sky haven't been complying with this for nearly 5 years now.
So I doubt they will be in any hurry to comply with the new Ofcom rules about price rises and rights to leave early.

Of course I hope I am wrong, but the history doesn't look hopeful.

brewerdave

Detail_Merchant said:

I don't think this will be resolved any time soon.
Ofcom introduced rules requiring companies (including Pay TV providers) to give warning to customers when their contract is about to end (between 10 and 40 days beforehand) - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/service-quality/companies-must-tell-customers-about-their-best-deals back in February 2020.

Sky haven't been complying with this for nearly 5 years now.

Not universally true - I had emails on the last two occasions that my discounted TV (only) deal ended; Admittedly "disguised" by the good news headline and an offer of continued discounts for a further 12 months at a lower rate than previously. On both occasions I declined their "generous" offer and negotiated a better deal.

Detail_Merchant

brewerdave said:

Not universally true - I had emails on the last two occasions that my discounted TV (only) deal ended; Admittedly "disguised" by the good news headline and an offer of continued discounts for a further 12 months at a lower rate than previously. On both occasions I declined their "generous" offer and negotiated a better deal.

True, I've received those as well, and they are a useful reminder to look at how the price is changing.
And to be fair to Sky, in their website, the way they show future predicated bills, which you can click into and see the breakdown of discounts, is very good, much better than Virgin Media's equivalent.

But the Ofcom requirement from 2020 states that the communication when a contract is about to end should include:

• when your contract is up;
• what you’ve been paying until now, and what you’ll pay when your contract is up;
• any notice period for leaving your provider; and
• your provider’s best deals, including any prices only available to new customers.

The emails I've haven't included any specifics about old prices/discounts or new prices, just some incomplete information about the new discounts.

JulesWinnfield

Just read through the MSE weekly email which includes the following:

For all NEW CONTRACTS, including re-contracting, firms can no longer increase prices by a set amount above inflation in the middle of the contract. (For existing contracts, until you take out a new one, you stay on the old system.) Instead, they have a choice of increasing prices in two ways:

1) Either tell you exact rises coming (most'll do this). It must say before sign-up, in pounds & pence, any rises due mid-contract, eg, Virgin broadband will rise £3.50/mth this & next April, Vodafone mobile will rise £1.80/mth this & next April.

2) Not tell you, but then let you leave (only big name doing this is Sky). If it chooses not to indicate rises, and then at a later point announces one mid-contract, it must let you leave penalty-free within 30 days of notifying you. If it doesn't say 'no mid-contract rises' when you sign up, see this as a realistic possibility.

There are winners, but many losers too... During Ofcom's consultation, we (me & MSE) were pushing Ofcom to ban any above-inflation rises mid-contract. It didn't. Now its new structure's in place, as predicted, we're seeing way above inflation pounds & pence rises as the norm. Worse, for those on cheaper, say £25/mth, broadband deals, a £3.50/mth-type annual rise is equivalent to 14%, far bigger than this year's inflation-linked rises would've been at about 6%. Though of course, the fixed cost rise for someone on an expensive £60/mth broadband deal (who by definition are probably overpaying already - and should switch, see below) would be proportionately less, under 6%.

PS: Most paid-for TV is also included in these rules, though Sky's a grey area as currently there's a legal dispute between Sky and Ofcom about which areas of its TV business are regulated. Until that's sorted, we just don't know for sure.

deanos

JulesWinnfield said:

Just read through the MSE weekly email which includes the following:

For all NEW CONTRACTS, including re-contracting, firms can no longer increase prices by a set amount above inflation in the middle of the contract. (For existing contracts, until you take out a new one, you stay on the old system.) Instead, they have a choice of increasing prices in two ways:

1) Either tell you exact rises coming (most'll do this). It must say before sign-up, in pounds & pence, any rises due mid-contract, eg, Virgin broadband will rise £3.50/mth this & next April, Vodafone mobile will rise £1.80/mth this & next April.

2) Not tell you, but then let you leave (only big name doing this is Sky). If it chooses not to indicate rises, and then at a later point announces one mid-contract, it must let you leave penalty-free within 30 days of notifying you. If it doesn't say 'no mid-contract rises' when you sign up, see this as a realistic possibility.

There are winners, but many losers too... During Ofcom's consultation, we (me & MSE) were pushing Ofcom to ban any above-inflation rises mid-contract. It didn't. Now its new structure's in place, as predicted, we're seeing way above inflation pounds & pence rises as the norm. Worse, for those on cheaper, say £25/mth, broadband deals, a £3.50/mth-type annual rise is equivalent to 14%, far bigger than this year's inflation-linked rises would've been at about 6%. Though of course, the fixed cost rise for someone on an expensive £60/mth broadband deal (who by definition are probably overpaying already - and should switch, see below) would be proportionately less, under 6%.

PS: Most paid-for TV is also included in these rules, though Sky's a grey area as currently there's a legal dispute between Sky and Ofcom about which areas of its TV business are regulated. Until that's sorted, we just don't know for sure.

Why oh why don't OFCOM just let the prices stay at the price you signed up for and the length of the contract , so now people will be worse off, way to go OFCOM !

Riveryellowstone11

Hi, 

lots of cycling fans will be disappointed with the news that Eurosport will be disappearing next month. I have heard it will move to TNT. I watch all my cycling on catchup so a recording function is essential. How much am I looking at for TNT sport and is there another way to watch/record cycling without streaming?

Thanks 

JulesWinnfield

Mwood1 said:

Hi, 

lots of cycling fans will be disappointed with the news that Eurosport will be disappearing next month. I have heard it will move to TNT. I watch all my cycling on catchup so a recording function is essential. How much am I looking at for TNT sport and is there another way to watch/record cycling without streaming?

Thanks 

I believe the only way to get TNT Sports as a standalone sub is via Discovery+ and that’s £30.99 PM.

Nick212010

Mwood1 said:

Hi, 

lots of cycling fans will be disappointed with the news that Eurosport will be disappearing next month. I have heard it will move to TNT. I watch all my cycling on catchup so a recording function is essential. How much am I looking at for TNT sport and is there another way to watch/record cycling without streaming?

Thanks 

In fairness to Discovery, sports originally broadcast on TNT Sports or Eurosport are available on Discovery+ to stream usually within minutes of the programme ending. And not just highlights. I’m looking at four to five hours coverage per day for the Tour Down Under. Available on Discovery+, just to check for you.

I’d argue Discovery+ is technologically one of the best streaming providers available.

Riveryellowstone11

Nick212010 said:

Mwood1 said:

Hi, 

lots of cycling fans will be disappointed with the news that Eurosport will be disappearing next month. I have heard it will move to TNT. I watch all my cycling on catchup so a recording function is essential. How much am I looking at for TNT sport and is there another way to watch/record cycling without streaming?

Thanks 

In fairness to Discovery, sports originally broadcast on TNT Sports or Eurosport are available on Discovery+ to stream usually within minutes of the programme ending. And not just highlights. I’m looking at four to five hours coverage per day for the Tour Down Under. Available on Discovery+, just to check for you.

I’d argue Discovery+ is technologically one of the best streaming providers available.

That is good info thank you very much. I'll check this out now.