Cutting the Cord on Sky's Soaring Sports Subscription: Here's How to Save
- by Malty the Madman
- 2 Mins
Football Subscription Fees Increase - As reported by Warentest, rate hikes are imminent for football subscriptions. - Sky Hikes Football Costs - As Per Product Test, No Need for Extra Payment Required
It was the golden era of streaming: endless content, all for a small price. But times have changed in the streaming world, and it ain't all rosy anymore. Prices are climbing, offers are dwindling, and Sky is at it again - upping their sports subscription costs. But don't let 'em bleed you dry!
The savvy folks over at Stiftung Warentest shed some light on this in an exposé. The gist? Sky is hiking prices without customer approval - and courts have nixed this scheming trick several times before. Take Netflix, for instance. Customers scored a sweet refund of hundreds of euros thanks to this very situation (dig deeper here). Stiftung Warentest stands firm: you don't have to foot the bill for this price rise.
Sky's Sports Subscription: The Kick in the Budget
They're talking real money here. The sports subscription is set to skyrocket from 35.99 euros to a whopping 44.99 euros a month. The upgrade to FullHD will set you back six bucks instead of five. To add insult to injury? The last price hike was just a few months ago! In January 2024, the price was still a paltry 29.99 euros. In half a year's time, the subscription price almost doubled.
And guess what? The popular Bundesliga conference will no longer be available on Sky/Wow from the upcoming season, only on their competitor DAZN.
Sky spins it differently, telling the stern that subscription prices haven't increased. That's technically correct... but only for the first 12 months. After that, subscriptions will indeed jump to 44.99 euros, speculated to be a switch to a monthly cancellation period. "All the affected customers have the option to instead sign up for a new 12-month subscription at a reduced price, which will still offer the best value for money, even for new customers," Sky explains, but beware the contract periods for this deal.
Dodging the Hike
According to Stiftung Warentest, there's a quirky workaround to dodge those extra costs: if Sky debits the increased amount from your account, simply recall the SEPA debit at your bank - while simultaneously sending 'ol Sky an email proposition to continue paying the old price for your Wow subscription. Alternatively, you can wait for Sky to send a reminder. Another trick: you can claim the overpaid money as a refund for unlawful price increases, even retroactively. The deadline for this is December 31, 2028, per Warentest.
However, Warentest also warns that you might stir up some trouble. And Sky appears unfazed, brushing off the previous rulings on price increases: "The rulings on price increases by other providers were based on distinct facts that don't align with the adjustment at WOW," the company told the stern.
Of course, viewers can always pull the plug on the subscription.
Source: Stiftung Warentest
- Sky
- Stiftung Warentest
- Sport
- Pricey
- To avoid the price increase on Sky's sports subscription, customers can opt for the annual subscription plan for WOW Live Sports, which remains priced at 29.99 dollars per month, as mentioned by Stiftung Warentest.
- Choosing the annual payment method locks in the lower rate and prevents customers from paying the increased monthly fees that would apply otherwise, as advised by Stiftung Warentest.
- If dissatisfied with Sky's price increase or subscription changes, consumers can consider switching to a different streaming provider, such as DAZN, for entertainment alternatives.
In the context of the provided text, these sentences would provide additional information and advice for the readers aiming to save money on their Sky sports subscription and streaming expenses in general.
[1] Source: Stiftung Warentest
