How to avoid Sky price rises

Sky TV 
Sky TV bills could rise by 8pc per year, we explain how to avoid the hikes Credit: Alamy

Sky is set to push up the cost of its TV packages by £30 per year, although customers don't have to accept the hike. 

The rise in costs will depend on what packages are subscribed to by customers individually, with bills going up from June 1.  

For example, the Variety, Family, Sky Q and Sky Q Silver bundles will all rise by £2 a month, representing increases ranging from 3.6pc to 6.25pc. 

Sky is capping the amount that can be added to bills at 8pc. 

However, customers do not have to accept the hike. We explain how to leave penalty free if you're outside the minimum term of the contract and how it's possible to haggle down your bill. 

Can you cancel your contract?

If you’re unhappy with the price rise and you are outside of the minimum term of your contract then you can leave penalty free, as long as you give 31 days' notice.

If not, then you'll have to wait until the end of the end of your contract before you can leave. 

Haggle to get a cheaper price

An incredible 86pc of Sky customers who tried to haggle with the firm said that they had success, according to a poll by MoneySavingExpert.

You don't need to be at the end of your contract to do this, although you may have more success if you are. 

If you want to give haggling a try, then here are five tips:

1.     Find out the best deal elsewhere. Use a comparison site to compare deals and see if there is a deal for TV, broadband and phone services that beats yours. Note down the details and keep them handy. 

2.     Call up Sky and ask about cancelling your contract. You should get put through to the ‘retentions’ department who have the power to cut your bill costs. Tell them you want to leave. 

3.     Keep it polite and friendly and don’t panic if they call your bluff and say they’ll disconnect you

4.     If you’ve ever had a problem in the past (eg, slow broadband) then use this to your advantage to get a discount.

5.     If you don’t get what you want, you don't have to leave but you can ask about downgrading your package to cut out channels you don't watch regularly.