Last week, there were demonstrations against New Year rail fare hikes, following news of the 2.3% price rise. However since 2010, while average UK rail fares have risen by 23%[2], the cost of Sky TV’s popular bundles has soared by 50% on average.
In 2010, a basic Sky package topped up with sports channels cost £35 a month, but subscribing to the equivalent package today, known as ‘The Original Bundle’, with sports channels added, would cost you £49.50 – a 41% increase.
Meanwhile Sky’s top-end package, now referred to as ‘The Complete Bundle’, which also includes movie channels and sports, has risen by 65%, jumping from £48.50 in 2010 to £80.00 in 2017.
The cost of these TV packages has increased at more than four times the rate of wage inflation since 2010, with the average UK wage rising by 12%[4] in the last seven years.
Sky last increased the price of its packages in June 2016 and some customers saw hikes of up to £72 a year.A research survey from Freesat has found that 42% of TV customers feel taken advantage of by regular price hikes while 45% believe the reasons offered for regular price increases are unclear.
Freesat spokesperson Jennifer Elworthy said: “The cost of Pay TV is becoming increasingly unaffordable, leaving wage growth a long way behind.
“Our research has found that 99% of the most watched shows of Sky customers are available on free-to-air. With so much quality free TV available, consumers don’t need to make sacrifices to enjoy great entertainment.”
Freesat is a subscription free satellite TV service offering digital television to everyone in the UK. The service offers more than 200 TV, radio and interactive channels; including 11 free HD services. Freesat also offers a range of Catch Up players including BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD, Demand 5, YouTube and BBC News & Sport Apps; all for free.