How to save on Sky and BT TV?

How to haggle to save money on Sky and BT

Write down all the information you need to negotiate. Think what your ideal TV plan is: 

• Price - how much are you willing to pay?
• Channels - what do you want included?
• Freebies/perks - what extras do you want?

How to haggle for existing Sky or BT customers

If you came to this article to work out how you can save more money on your current package either from Sky or BT, we have some options that could help you.

Option 1: Cut channels to save 

Maybe you are paying for unnecessary channels that you no longer watch. Reach out to Sky customer service or BT customer service to talk to them and see your options. You can also do that on your account via their website but sometimes it is better to call. Keep in mind, if you are in your first year of the contract, it can be hard to get changes done. 

Option 2: Add internet or other services to save 

Paying for your television, internet, telephone, mobile or home line separately could be more expensive than paying for them together.  Total your bills and ask BT or Sky whether they can offer a cheaper price if you buy it as a package from them. 

Option 3: Offer to pay in advance 

The more money you are willing to pay upfront, the better deals you can get. You probably will need to reach out again to Sky customer service or BT customer service to talk to them and see your options. Sometimes you can pay annually and get a good discount. 

Option 4: Compare to the price of the competitors

Call their customer service and highlight a competitor’s deal. Ask if Sky or BT would consider beating their competitor’s price. 

Option 5: Threaten to cancel your plan 

Another way to negotiate is to threaten to cancel your plan. You will need to reach out to customer service and say you would like to cancel. They will send you to the customer retention team. With them, you will be able to negotiate a deal before deciding whether to cancel your package.

How to haggle for new customers

If you are a new customer, you also have more power to negotiate. TV providers want to get more customers so they will give you better deals. Here are the best ways to save on Sky and BT as a new customer:

Option 1: Wait for special sales

Black Friday (last Friday of November) and Christmas are the best time to get deals. So, if you can wait until the end of the year, you will probably have more options to save money on your TV package. 

Option 2: Add internet and other services together as a bundle 

You may be able to get a discount on your TV package if you take out a bundle on internet, phone line and other services together. Calculate how much you are paying for everything separately, and ask BT or Sky if they can beat the total price.

Option 3: Offer to pay in advance 

You can offer to pay in advance if you can afford to. This may provide you with cheaper prices overall. 

Option 4: Compare the price of competitors

When you bring up the price of the competitors as a new customer, you have more chances to get a better deal. Make sure you do your research to present the best data during the negotiation. You will need to gather all the information relevant to the deal you are looking for. 

Option 5: Try to find vouchers and discount codes 

Sometimes TV providers give out vouchers and discount codes. You can find these codes on the Latest Deals website for Sky and BT.

• Sky has a “Introduce a friend to Sky” program.
• BT has a “Refer a Friend to BT Broadband” program. 

In these programs, when an existing customer introduces a new customer, both get rewards.

What to do if you don't get the result you expected? 

Ideally, with all the options mentioned above, you could get the best deal possible. But sometimes, unfortunately, that doesn't happen. You can try all these haggling strategies at Sky and BT and see which company gives you a better deal. See whether you can save more money both the short-term and long-term at Sky or BT. You need to try more than once and with different approaches, don't give up until you get the best deal you can! 

Sky and BT are good companies to haggle 

Sky and BT are good companies that respond to haggling so you have an advantage on your hands. Don't be afraid to ask for more! Remember to be patient and go through the process, even if it takes a while., New customers have an advantage when it comes to haggling so make sure you try.

5 Golden Rules to save on TV packages from Sky or BT 

Rule#1: Check if you really need a TV package and if you can get your favourite streaming services included in your package 

With streaming services, it’s much cheaper to be entertained. For example, a monthly Netflix subscription is currently less than £10 a month, at least half of the price you will be paying for a TV package. However, if you know you are going to watch TV in addition to your streaming service, make sure you can get it included in your monthly bill. Most of these streaming services have a free trial, so you can check what you have access to. 

Rule#2: Find the best digital TV deal

We have combined the best deals from Sky and BT below for your convenience.

Rule#3: Haggle a better deal every year 

Every year that you complete a contract, you have an opportunity to negotiate again. Make sure to put in your calendar the date that your contract ends. See above for how you can haggle as an existing customer.

Rule#4: Monthly passes can be cheaper than getting Sky Sports and BT Sports TV packages

If you watch sports, mainly football, you will need either Sky Sports or BT Sports to watch the best matches. But an alternative solution is to get Sports passes on NOW TV. 

For the Sky Sports Monthly Pass, you will pay £26 a month and for the BT Sports Monthly Pass, you will pay £30.99. This can be cheaper because you don't get a contract and only purchase the passes in sports seasons. We talk more about Sky Sports and BT Sports below. 

Rule#5: If you are about to move, you could get extra charges 

It's always better to get a new contract if you know in advance how long you are living in your address for. If you are planning to move in less than six months to a year time, maybe it's not the best time to get a new TV package. 

Which is the best TV package? How to choose your package with a 7 step-by-step guide!

So, now you understand a bit more about your options for digital TV. If you have decided you want a Digital TV via broadband, you need to understand how to choose your package. We have created a step-by-step to help you: 

Step 1: Check what is available to you 

Depending on where you live, BT or Sky may not be available to you. The first step is to check which provider works in your area. There are many websites where you can add your postcode to get this information. You can also use the TV provider’s website to find out if they are available to your address. 

• If you want to check if Sky is available to your home address. 
• If you want to check if BT is available to your home address. 

Step 2: Check how much it costs to get a set-up at your home address

Both Sky and BT have set-up fees depending on your package of choice. Sometimes they have sales and discounts, giving the activation fee for free. For Sky, the fee starts at £20 and for BT the fee starts at £0 if you are setting it up yourself. 

Sometimes BT also charges £20 even if you are setting-up it yourself, depending on the deal, so watch out! If you are tech-savvy this can be an advantage for BT. This can be tricky and you can actually avoid paying it! 

Step 3: Decide what channels you are REALLY interested in

One very common mistake when getting a new TV plan is to go for the one with the most channels. This could be seen as a good deal at first, but it could be a waste of money. More channels are now included with on-demand services, such as NOW TV and others. Also, you can get most channels for free at Freeview. 

The question you need to ask yourself is, what channels are you going to watch daily? We recommend you create a list of channels and how often you plan to watch them. 

Step 4: Check what extras you would like to add to your package

As said above, for a Freesat 4K TV Box without recording, you will pay £125. With the option to record you will need to pay at least £74.99 extra, which is a considerable amount. 

Available extras include: 

Ultra high definition (4K) and HD: 

Shortly, all electronic devices are going to be able to show videos and images in 4K. If you have already devices in 4K, this could turn into an essential extra. 

Recordable

If you want to be able to record your favourite television programme, you can get this option. It’s important to keep in mind that most television programmes are also available as catch-up, on-demand and TV on the go. You don't need to worry about missing out if you won't be home at the time they are going to be live. With these extra options, you can watch them at any time after they have been shown live. You will need a record feature mainly if you want to rewind live TV.

Catch-up, on-demand and TV on the go 

Sometimes these options are already included in the packages. If you want to get Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney+, Now TV and others, some packages either include them or give them for free for a period. 

This period can range from one month to even a full year.  Be aware that after this free time, you will be charged extra, they will come as add-ons to your monthly bill, but you can cancel them anytime. 

With the TV on the go, you can also access your TV from your other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops. This is usually an extra charge. 

Number of television sets that are going to be connected 

If you have more than one television set, you will need a package that covers that. You can usually add more television sets at the add-ons pages. Sometimes, you will pay extra for each extra box.

Bundle package with internet and telephone included

If you want TV, broadband and telephone with the same provider you could end up saving money. Usually, you can add internet and telephone, both mobile and home line. Some TV providers only sell TV packages with internet included as well, like BT. 

Step 5: Check the contract length 

The longer your contract length, the better the deal. Check for how long you will need your new digital TV plan and make the most of it. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: it’s very common after the first year that your monthly bill gets more expensive. Keep that in mind and try to negotiate. when you are haggling, Wwe talk more about that below. 

Step 6: How much can you afford to pay? Do you want to pay 

WIn your budget, work out how much money you can realistically spend on your new digital TV plan. 

Step 7: Check all the hidden charges and costs after the “free time”

Unfortunately, there are lots of hidden charges and costs that you can miss. Within a couple of weeks after purchasing your new TV package, you could find yourself with an extra charge or fee.

Make sure you check what all the charges and costs are after a couple of weeks, even more so if you are getting your new TV package during a deal. 

What is Sky? 

Sky is one of the largest broadcasting companies in the UK. At the moment, it's considered the most popular digital TV provider in Britain, offering some exclusive channels, like Sky One and Sky Atlantic. The company has only been active since 1990 and is present in other countries in Europe.

What does Sky offer?

Sky offers television, internet and telephone to consumers and businesses within the UK. You have the opportunity to get everything you need in one place. 

Sky package options 

At the moment (November 2020), you have nine Sky TV package options.

All the Sky TV packages come with the basic Sky TV, Sky Go, the app you need to watch on the go, and Sky Q to record your live TV. These are their standard offers: 

• Sky TV & Netflix
• Sky TV & Sky Sports
• Sky TV, Netflix & Sky Sports
• Sky TV & Sky Cinema
• Sky TV, HD & Ultra HD
• Sky TV & Multiscreen
• Sky TV, HD, Ultra HD & Multiscreen
• Big Bundle

Including Netflix, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, all the HD options and multiscreen. With an extra: Plus Kids. 

• SPECIAL PACKAGE: Build your own Bundle

In this package, you can choose what you want to add to your basic Sky TV. This special package also includes the standard Sky Go and Sky Q. Finally, you can add up all the options mentioned above and also Disney+. 

What is the cheapest way to watch Sky TV?

At the moment, the cheapest way to watch Sky TV is building your own bundle. This comes with Sky TV, Sky Go and Sky Q. Keep in mind that you will need to pay extra for Full-HD channels. 

How to save on Sky?

To save on Sky you will need to get the cheapest package, mentioned above. You also need to try to get a free set-up fee (which can be charged for £20). Finally, you need to try to get as many extras as you can for free. Before getting your new TV package deal, use all haggling tips mentioned above. 

How to cancel Sky? 

To cancel Sky, you will need to get in touch with their customer service. Sky gives you four different options: calling them, sending a message via online chat, sending them an email, or sending them a letter. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can legally cancel your new product within 14 days of the acquisition date. Sky gives you 31 days to make a decision. Usually, you need to wait for one year before cancelling after these 14 or 31 days. Check your conditions before signing-up for a new service. 

How to contact Sky? 

You have four ways to communicate with Sky. We have listed them below: 

• Phone Number: 03337592140

• Online Chat: you will need to sign in to your account to have access to the chat using this link. 

• Email Address: mysky@sky.uk.

• Letter Address: Sky Subscriber Services Ltd, PO Box 43, Livingston, EH54 7DD.

When does my Sky contract end? And what to do then? 

When you get a new TV package at Sky, you will receive your contract with the start date, usually via email. 

You need to check how long the length of the contract is and put a mark in your calendar with the termination date.

One month before the end date or even after one year of the contract, you can try to contact them to haggle. 

What is BT? 

BT is the short form for British Telecom. BT has its headquarters in London but operates in more than 180 countries. With hundreds of years in operation since 1846, BT is one of the largest British companies. 

What does BT offer? 

BT offers a range of services, including internet, telephone and television. So you can get everything you need in one place. 

BT TV packages options 

At the moment (November/2020), you have six BT TV packages options: 

• Classic Entertainment

The basic BT entertainment channels.

• Entertainment

Including NOW TV Entertainment Pass, Freeview, AMC, a set-top box recordable with 300 hours of memory and more. 

• Big Entertainment

Including everything from the Entertainment Package and Sky Cinema Pass, via NOW TV app. 

• Sport

Including all BT Sports channels, Boxnation, Freeview, AMC, a set-top box recordable with 300 hours of memory and more. 

• Big Sport

Including everything from the Sport Package and Sky Sports channels, via NOW TV app. 

• VIP 

Including everything from the Big Sport and Big Entertainment Packages. All the content is available in Full HD.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All these BT TV packages options come with broadband, which can be chosen from Fibre Essential, Fibre 1 or Fibre 2. The only difference between them is speed. Also, you can add Netflix, Amazon Prime, BT TV App Extra and BT Kids as well in all the packages, by paying extra fees for each of them. 

You can only get BT TV with Broadband included as well 

This can be tricky. At the moment, you only can get a new BT TV deal with a broadband package as well. So you will need to get both TV and internet! Keep that in mind. Internet at BT stars at £26.99. (At Sky internet starts at £24 if you are getting both TV and internet). So it’s cheaper! 

What is the cheapest way to watch BT TV?

At the moment, the cheapest way to watch BT TV is getting the classic entertainment package. 

How to save on BT?

To save on BT you will need to get the cheapest package, mentioned above. You also need to try to get a free set-up fee (which can be charged for £20). Finally, you need to try to get as many extras as you can for free. Before getting your new TV package deal, use all haggle options mentioned above. 

How to cancel BT? 

To cancel BT, you can access their online termination letter. You will need to give your personal details, your account number, what you want to terminate and when you would like it to be terminated. 

If you are looking to get a better deal, we recommend trying to cancel via the phone number, as you can get in touch with the customer retention team. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can legally cancel your new product within 14 days of the acquisition date. Usually, you need to wait for one year before cancelling after these 14 days. Check your conditions before signing-up for a new service. 

How to contact BT? 

The best way to contact BT is by this free phone number: 0800 917 0510. This line is available from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. 

When does my BT contract end? And what to do then? 

When you get a new TV package at BT, you will receive your contract with the start date, usually via email address.

You just need to check how long the length of the contract is and put a mark in your calendar of the termination date.

One month before the end date or even after one year of the contract, you can try to reach out to them to haggle.

BT vs Sky

In the UK, BT and Sky are two of the most important broadcasting companies. BT is largely recognised by its broadband speed and coverage, while Sky has the best TV service. Both companies have been working hard to provide outstanding service, so the competition between them is fierce. If you still don't know who to choose, we have had them compared for you. 

Channels: Winner - Sky 

Sky has a better channel selection compared to BT with around 350 channels available, against roughly 100 channels at BT. It’s more than three times bigger. Although, if you are looking for sports coverage, BT Sports includes more exclusive championships. We talk more about BT Sports below. 

Broadband Speed: Winner - BT 

If you are choosing a digital broadband TV (all the options we covered above), you need to take the broadband speed into account. BT is well-known for its speed getting up to 67Mbps, while the maximum velocity at Sky is 63Mbps. 

Although, while using your broadband daily, these differences aren't going to be that noticeable, both being very fast. 

The difference is that depending on your home address you could have more luck getting a faster broadband connection with BT than Sky. 

Set-top Box: Winner - BT

If you already have a BT or Sky connection at your place, the only thing you need is a set-top box to get your TV ready. Depending on the TV package of your choice, you will receive a different set-top box. 

While BT has a different set-top box for each TV package chosen, Sky has only one standard box for all its TV packages.

Getting your TV package with BT can mean a cheaper set-top box, as you have more options to choose from. 

Getting your TV package with Sky can be more expensive because it’s mandatory to get the standard set-top box. This includes all the extras, only changing in memory capacity for your recordings.

We selected BT as the winner overall because you have more options. 

Customer Service: Winner - Sky

Better customer service can help you both in the short and long term. First, you have more chances to be heard and get a better TV package deal. 

Secondly, your whole set-up experience will be less stressful. Finally, when it comes to ending your first year of the contract, you will have more chances to get another good deal. 

Go for the company with the best customer service to make your life easier. Sky has been reported with better customer service than BT. 

Sky has one of the best customer services in the UK when compared to competitors and even Post Office, for example. 

Contract length: Winner - Sky 

Usually, BT TV packages are 24 months long, so that means you are tied-up with them for two full-years. 

Sky TV packages are 18 months long, so that means you will be able to get free after one year and a half, which can be helpful. 

Special features: Winner - Sky 

BT brings some great ones, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, BT Kids, BT TV App Extra, extra boxes and Full-HD. If you have kids, getting the BT Kids could be essential to keep the little ones busy.

Also, if you love on-demand content, getting both Netflix and Amazon Prime with your TV package can be cheaper. You could also try to haggle for them.

At Sky, you can get Netflix, Disney+, Full-HD, multiscreen and Kids. The advantage of Sky is that you already have included both the app and the recording set even in the most basic package. 

Price: Winner - Sky 

Usually, BT TV packages can range anywhere from £10 to £65 a month, this is not including any extras. Getting a simpler plan from BT can become a big problem because you can be misled into thinking you are paying less money.

 It's very unlikely that you will end up paying only £10 for the classic entertainment plan, for example, today that is their cheapest option. 

When actually, you will need to pay more money, in the end, to include for example Full HD channels, which are essential nowadays.

Sky TV packages can range from £25 to £106 a month, but you are more likely to be paying only these fees as their plans cover most of the add-ons. 

BOX Verdict: Sky is the winner!

BT is the best choice for broadband speed and set-top boxes. Sky is better for channel selections, customer service, contract length, special features and price. The best option really depends on what you want from your TV package. However, Sky does come out on top!

BT Sports and Sky Sports: understanding more 

We already have mentioned that one of the main reasons why people pay for TV packages are sports channels. Because of that, both BT and Sky have their special sports products. Both broadcasting companies try to cover as many sports as possible. You will need to check their website to find out if they offer a specific sport you want to watch. 

You have lots of options for sports channels as well, since sports events are seasonal, so you don't need to pay for them all year round. Depending on what you want to watch, you can get only BT Sports, or only Sky Sports or even both. 

To get these sports channels you will need to have NOW TV as well because that is the tool that connects both companies. With the app, you will be able to watch BT Sports and Sky Sports.

BT Sports 

BT Sports is where you can find all the best football matches in Europe. Getting BT Sports is the only way to have access to all live matches from both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. With BT Sports you can also watch the Premier League, Scottish Premier, championships in France and Germany, and much more. There are lots of other sports as well. 

Sky Sports 

Sky Sports also covers some matches from Premier League, from La Liga in Spain and from Major League Soccer in the USA and Canada. Other sports include Formula 1, Cricket and Rugby. 

How much is Sky Sports per month?

If you want to get a Sky TV package with Sky Sports, you will pay £20/month for an 18-month contract. Keep in mind that this covers more than sports channels and you will need to pay £0 upfront for activation and delivery fees. 

How to save on Sky Sports? 

The cheapest way to get Sky Sports at the moment is by buying a Now TV monthly pass, for £26 a month. You have no contract and can cancel anytime. 

How to save on BT Sports? 

The cheapest way to get BT Sports at the moment is by buying a monthly pass, for £30.99. You can get this monthly pass via Now TV and in other places. You have no contract and can cancel anytime. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you get only BT Sports Monthly Pass, you will save more money. Think about that when you are making your decision. 

As you can see both are complementary. That’s why most people that follow sports regularly need to get both. This will allow them to have full coverage and keep updated with the most relevant live sports events.

How much is BT Sport on Sky? 

If you are thinking about getting a Sky Package and want to watch BT Sports as well, you can include it. You can do this online and at the moment you will pay £25 extra a month. You can also reach out to the customer service and ask to buy BT Sports. 

BT Sport on Sky TV for £30 extra a month. This monthly pass can be accessed on NOW TV. 

How much is Sky Sport on BT?

If you are thinking about getting a BT Package and want to watch Sky Sports as well, you can include it. You can do this online and at the moment you will pay £18 extra a month. You can also reach out to the customer service and ask to buy Sky Sports. 

Sky Sport on BT TV for £20 extra a month. This monthly pass can be accessed on NOW TV. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you get Sky Sport on BT TV, you will save more money. Think about that when you are making your decision.

FAQ

In Summary 

You have lots of options to save money on BT and Sky. The more extras you add to your package, the more money you will spend. Although, this can be negotiable if you haggle to get these extras within the same price range. At the moment, Sky could be a better choice if you are looking to save more money. Use all our tips and advice to make your decision. The more you research, the better deal you can get!

What is digital TV? 

In the UK, all TVs are digital. Digital TV has better picture quality and sound. It also comes with more channel options and on-demand services. All of which are totally connected to the internet. So, if you are getting a new TV package, you will get a digital one, no matter how basic the chosen option is. But there are some differences between digital TVs. Check them out below:

Your digital TV options:

Digital satellite TV 

This type of digital TV receives signals from a satellite. This was a very common option in the past but has been replaced by broadband digital TV. The best service at the moment for digital satellite TV is Freesat. Freesat is a product developed by BBC and ITV, bringing all the channels from both broadcasting companies and more together. For this option, you only pay one fee to get your set-top box, £145 for 4K TV Box and starting at £229.99 for a Recordable 4K TV Box. This service is guaranteed by a one-time fee, without any contract or monthly bills. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This option also includes on-demand services, like Netflix. 

Digital TV via broadband 

The third and last option is the most relevant for those looking to get Sky or BT. This is the most modern and updated digital TV option available at the moment. TheYour TV signal is delivered by high-speed fibre optic cables. These cables provided are responsible for better picture and sound quality, and more channel options.

Internet TV 

This is a new concept. Some people don't get paid TV packages anymore and opt to use streaming services instead. These services include Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney+, Now TV and others. This is called internet TV. If you are looking for the cheapest option to watch television, this is the one. Keep in mind that you will have programmes limitations but you will also have more freedom to opt-out at any time.