Sky TV prices to increase

There’s bad news if you’re a Sky TV customer. The satellite television company will be increasing their prices by an average of 6.2% from 1 April.

Sky have been writing to customers in recent weeks to let them know how much their individual bill will be increasing by.

Devesh Raj, Sky’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Our continued investment to deliver the best and most reliable products, along with increased supplier costs, means most of our TV and broadband customers will see a change in their price this year. But we’ve made every effort to minimise the financial impact to you.

“From April, our TV and broadband packages will increase by an average of 6.2%, which is either in line with or lower than other providers. Over the last four years, our prices have broadly increased in line with inflation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to fair and transparent pricing.

“These price adjustments are reflected in the investments we’ve made to improve our products and services and the heightened pressures businesses across our industry continue to face. For example, the amount we pay wholesalers for our broadband infrastructure or the investments we need to make in technology to deliver product reliability and improvements for our customers.”

Haggle for a better deal

If you don't want to give up your Sky subscription, you could instead use the latest price rise as an attempt to haggle with Sky.

Haggling may sound daunting, but Sky both expects and invites haggling.

Simply get in touch with Sky and ask what it can offer.

If you’re outside your minimum contract term (or on a rolling monthly contract) you can cancel penalty-free. Not being tied in can give you more bargaining power.

Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert Team say that customers have a 70% success rate haggling with Sky. They offer the following tips when haggling for a better deal:

• Benchmark the best deal elsewhere, so you ask for a realistic discount.
• Get through to the retentions (sometimes called disconnections) department. They have the most power to slash costs, as it's their job to keep you.
• Use charm and be friendly. Aggression or anger will just put their back up.
• Don't panic if they call your bluff and say they'll disconnect you.
• If they won't slash the price, see if they can include any extras, such as a boosted TV package.

Thinking about leaving Sky? Know your rights:

If you’re outside your minimum contract term with Sky TV, you can leave penalty-free. To do this, contact Sky by phone on 0333 759 4830 or online. You'll need to give 31 days' notice for TV packages.

If you’re still in your minimum term on a Sky TV contract then, unfortunately, you won’t be able to leave without paying an exit fee. You don't have the right to exit your contract penalty-free simply because of these price rises – Sky says that this is because you’ll have already been warned in the terms and conditions that prices could rise.