TV Packages: Total Thicky Alert

[pasty]

Right then. I've just had a stand up (well I was standing anyway) row with Sky tv over the phone. The robbing bastards have taken too much money out of account and are denying it is a mistake and are refusing to credit the amount back to me.

So, tomorrow morning, amidst no doubt another stand up row, I am going to cancel my Sky subscription.

My question to the all knowing sages of NSC is, in words of one syllable, what are the best (and cheapest) alternatives out there? I know nothing about about all these different packages as we've been with Sky for years and never bothered looking at alternatives.

Not bothered about movies, but do want the sports channels, can you get Sky sports without being with sky? and a second box or whatever upstairs in our daughters room. We don't have an ariel on the roof.

 

[vulture]

virgin do a good sports package

 

[RM-Taylor]

virgin do a good sports package

Not for much longer they won't. Setanta Sports will no longer be "free" in the XL pack, as it's either within the next week going to agree a deal with BSKYB, or it'll go bust as they've missed yet another payment to the SPL.

I'd stick with Sky to be honest, as they're the best, but I'd try to haggle your way up to a free upgrade a Sky HD if they've made the error.

 

[The Large One]

It's those sorts of stories that put me off having Sky in the first place.

f*** 'em.

f*** 'em all.

 

[northstandnorth]

usually,unless you have had a history of getting discounts,sky will offer you a deal to keep you.
the trick is to phone up and request ending your contract because you cant justify spending that much money on telly.
if you are prepared to loose your service if you get the wrong "customer care assistant" you should ask to cancel your contract-they will put you on to someone who's job is to retain you as a customer,even at the worst if you get some git who will terminate you you can still say you want to think about it and phone back later to get someone else.
it helps if your post code is served by a cable supplier because you can play the old "i want to switch to virgin"game

 

[BensGrandad]

My son had a similar occurence with Sky and HBOS, Sky requested 2 direct debits for 1 month and HBOS gave an authority code but as a result of the 2 demands he had 2 small dd returned for which the bank charged him £35 each. Sky eventually only claimed 1 payment and HBOS refunded the cash for the other but neither were prepared to repay the bank charges.


After a long time and a lot of letter writing by me HBOS refunded the charges and about 2 month later Sky credited his account with £70. So they do eventually pay up but it is a long hard task to get them to do it as Sky believe that they are above reproach as in fact do the banks.

 

[Uncle C]

If you do cancel with Sky make sure you give your bank instructions to cancel the DD.

I did this and Sky tried to take money but failed. They wrote to say they would sue. I said go ahead, and heard nothing more.

 

[Mr deez]

I have sky but wish i could still get virgin at my new place- sky telly is pretty poor if you're not wanting to have the sport. Virgin on demand service is incredible.

 

[REDLAND]

Not for much longer they won't. Setanta Sports will no longer be "free" in the XL pack, as it's either within the next week going to agree a deal with BSKYB, or it'll go bust as they've missed yet another payment to the SPL.

Setanta have a contract with VM and will not be able to get out of it. Only way I could see Setanta not being free on XL is if Setanta went bust and ceased to exist.

 

[CHAPPERS]

if Setanta went bust and ceased to exist.

I give it 6 months.

 

[keaton]

I think unless Setanta get bailed out by Sky, they'll be bust before next season, the amount of actual subcriptions they had no get to break even was ridicolous

 

[Walkers Cajun Squirrel]

No one come close to what Sky have. They have a complete Monopoly.

 

[REDLAND]

I think unless Setanta get bailed out by Sky, they'll be bust before next season, the amount of actual subcriptions they had no get to break even was ridicolous

I don't think thats gonna happen now..

http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2009/06/01/setanta-bid-rejected-by-sky/

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Setanta have a contract with VM and will not be able to get out of it. Only way I could see Setanta not being free on XL is if Setanta went bust and ceased to exist.

The most likely scenario is that Setanta will now go bust very shortly. Sky are gambling that it will be cheaper to pick up the broadcasting rights rather than giving Setanta £50M. The other possibility is ESPN (owned by Disney) comes in with a rescue package and rebrands Setanta to ESPN. Either way I dont think it will be free on the VM XL package.