Sky’s the limit as viewers face price hike

THOUSANDS of Sky TV viewers face a sharp jump in their fees, sparking fury among subscribers.

The basic TV package with broadband and landline phone is going up to more than €136 from May.

Sky Ireland is widely popular and it has close to 700,000 customers, which is more than the latest figure for Saorview-only homes at 650,000.

However, subscriber Tracey Murray, of Duleek, Co. Meath, who has been a TV customer since 1991, says if prices keep rising, Sky’s customer base will dwindle.

Tracey said: ‘I pay for the basic Sky package, a multi-room device which allows us to watch separate channels in two different rooms, and we have Netflix as well as broadband.

‘We don’t have Sky Sports or movies and our monthly fees are heading towards €136 per month. Sky keeps pushing up its prices and a lot of what we pay is ultimately funding the ridiculous salaries of overpaid, mediocre soccer players in the English Premier League.

‘The irony of ironies, in light of recent controversies, is that the annual RTÉ licence fee of €160 looks like a bargain compared to what Sky is charging.’

As well as the basic TV package, Tracey has broadband and a phone line, which will cost €136.35 a month from May. It was €114 in November, and the €22.35 increase is a jump of almost 20%.

A Sky spokesman said: ‘Our aim is to always keep costs as low as possible, while providing the best choice and services for our customers. However, the costs of providing services have continued to increase significantly, and it is affecting the entire industry.

‘Where possible, we absorb those costs to limit the impact to our customers. We know price increases are never welcome... but we hope our customers can see that we continue to deliver the most innovative products and best entertainment experience.’