Sky Reveals 6.2% Rise, Unlike Virgin and BT’s Fixed Fees

This post may contain affiliate links*

If you’re a Sky customer, brace yourself – your TV and broadband bills are going up this April by an average of 6.2%.

But while other providers like Virgin Media and BT are switching to simple fixed increases in pounds and pence (per Ofcom’s new rules), Sky is sticking with percentage-based rises – though with an important difference.

The company announced today that most customers will see their monthly bills increase based on this percentage, rather than the fixed amounts that other providers are moving to.

However, unlike its competitors, some Sky customers will have a choice: accept the new prices, or leave without paying any penalties (see more on that below).

Understanding Ofcom’s New Rules

In a landmark decision, Ofcom recently banned the confusing practice of inflation-linked price rises in TV, broadband, and mobile contracts.

Ofcom UK logo
Photo: Deposit Photos / Rafapress

From January 17, 2025, providers must now spell out any future price hikes in pounds and pence at the point of sale, rather than using unpredictable formulas like “CPI plus 3.9%”.

This change comes after years of customers facing unexpected price hikes tied to inflation rates they couldn’t predict.

Under the previous system, you could have signed up for a £40 monthly package, only to see it jump significantly when inflation rises – and because you’re under contract, there’s usually nothing you can do about it.

The new rules require providers to:

  • State exact price increases in pounds and pence upfront
  • Display this information as prominently as the initial price
  • Include all planned increases in contract documents
  • Explain changes clearly during sales conversations
  • Detail every price rise that will occur during the contract period

While this doesn’t ban mid-contract price increases entirely, it does ensure customers know exactly what they’re signing up for from day one.

Sky’s Price Increases: What’s Changing?

While other providers rushed to comply with Ofcom’s new pricing regulations, Sky has announced its own price increases today, which sidestep these rules entirely – by using a system that isn’t covered by the new rules.

Starting this April, Sky customers will see their TV and broadband packages increase by an average of 6.2% (depending on your exact bundle and services).

The company says these changes reflect both their continued investment in content and infrastructure, as well as rising supplier costs.

Sky will be contacting all affected customers in the coming weeks with specific details about how their individual packages will be impacted.

Importantly, those on Sky’s social tariffs will see their prices frozen, protecting vulnerable customers from any increases.

To justify these increases, Sky points to significant investments over the past year, such as expanding their sports coverage (with the launch of Sky Sports+), adding thousands of hours of new entertainment content, improving their broadband infrastructure, and enhancing Sky Stream and Sky Glass with software updates.

Sky Sports Plus on TV living room

Why Sky Is Different

While other major providers like BT/EE and Virgin Media are adopting fixed pound-and-pence increases (£2-£3.50 per month), Sky maintains they don’t need to change their pricing mechanism.

Unlike other providers, Sky doesn’t lock customers into inflation-linked increases within their contracts. Instead, they use a variable pricing model where some customers can cancel their package without penalty after receiving a price increase notification.

This means Sky isn’t required to adopt Ofcom’s new pound-and-pence system, since their customers already have the freedom to leave if they’re unhappy with any price changes.

But this is where things get a bit complicated: Sky Broadband and home phone customers will be able to leave penalty-free following the price increase notification.

Sky TV customers, however, will not be able to leave penalty-free (if they’re still under contract).

But wait, there’s more: If a customer purchased a broadband bundle at the same time as a TV package, they WOULD be able to leave their minimum term contract for both products penalty-free within 30 days of being notified of the price increase.

Lastly, Sky says the new Essential TV plan will not be affected by the upcoming price increase.

What Other Providers Are Doing – And How It Affects You

The TV and broadband landscape is now split between two very different pricing approaches. Let’s see how they compare:

The New Pound-and-Pence System:

Sky’s Percentage-Based System:

  • 6.2% average increase across services (this year – could be different next year)
  • Some customers can leave without penalty when notified
  • Increases vary based on your package cost

Who Benefits from Each System?

If you’re on premium packages (say £80+ monthly), the pound-and-pence system could work in your favour. For example:

  • On an £80 package, Virgin’s £3.50 increase is just 4.4%
  • Sky’s 6.2% increase would mean £4.96 extra monthly

But if you’re on basic packages, it’s a different story:

  • On a £20 broadband package, Virgin’s £3.50 increase is a whopping 17.5%
  • Sky’s 6.2% increase would only be £1.24 monthly

The Sky Advantage – But Only If You’re Savvy

Here’s where Sky broadband, broadband+TV and phone customers need to pay attention – you’ve got a unique opportunity that other providers’ customers don’t have.

When Sky announces price increases:

  • Watch for their notification letter
  • Use this as your chance to shop around
  • Compare prices with other providers
  • Call Sky’s retention team to negotiate a better deal
  • If you’re not happy, leave without penalty

Remember – this only works if you act when you receive the price increase notification. Miss that window, and you’ll be stuck with the higher prices until next year’s increase.

While any price increase is unwelcome news for subscribers, Sky’s approach offers more flexibility than some competitors.

Yes, you’re facing a 6.2% rise, but you’ve got the freedom to walk away if you’re not happy – something you can’t do with providers who build increases into their contracts.

For more TV news and updates, Subscribe to our free newsletter.

1 thought on “Sky Reveals 6.2% Rise, Unlike Virgin and BT’s Fixed Fees”

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

man watchin streaming tv on tablet

Get Cord Buster's Free UK TV Streaming Cheatsheet

FREE

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get TV And Tech News

Get Bonus Streaming TV Guide