Don’t put up with Sky-high TV cost
MILLIONS may be paying over the odds for their Sky TV subscriptions.
Communications regulator Ofcom has given them a warning for not telling people when their contracts are coming to an end.
If you’re one of their customers, I urge you to check your bills now to try and get a better deal.
When contracts expire, firms typically move people to a more expensive deal.
But Ofcom found some customers were able to save over £110 a year when taking out a new contract in response to an alert.
Here’s what you need to know:
What has happened?
In February 2020, Ofcom introduced a rule for broadband, phone and pay-tv companies to notify residential and business customers when their minimum contract period is ending.
This was a big victory for the consumer and an important protection tool to prompt people to shop around for better deals.
While Sky provides end of contract notices for its other services, it has not done so for standalone pay-tv services, believing they were not covered by the rules.
Following an investigation, Ofcom has concluded Sky is wrong.
What should I do now
As Sky has not been sending end of contract notifications, millions will find their contract has come to end. This will leave you free to look for a cheaper deal, either with Sky or an alternative supplier.
To find out if you are out of contract, log into your account, look through your messages and find one titled “Confirming your Sky offer”.
This message should tell you the start and length of your contract.
Alternatively, call Sky and ask the question on 0333 7591 018.
Am I entitled to compensation for Sky’s failure?
Unfortunately not but you may want to raise the failure when speaking to Sky about getting a better deal.
What does Sky say?
Regardless of the new ruling, Sky still insists it does need to provide end of contract notices to its TV customers and it has not been breaking the rules.
It remains to be seen if the company will appeal against Ofcom’s decision, which it must do within two months.
Regardless of what Sky does next, you should always keep a note of when your contract ends.