Sky TV subscription frozen until August 2012

[Ian Thompson]

On the Digital Spy Forums someone who works from Sky and a reliable source has said that he has seen a briefing paper from Sky and they where all taken by supprise that all Sky TV supscriptions for excisting Sky TV customers will be frozen until August 2012 because of the economic situation for everyone including their customers. Good news if it's true and it's from a reliable source. Here is the thread.
Sky Freezing TV Prices Until August 2012 - Sky+ HD - Digital Spy Forums
Ian.

[Scubbie]

This is more or less in line with what has already been posted on this forum.

It certainly looks good and clarifies what is happening with regards to channels you subscribed to on the current system, but were are now lumped in with channels you don't currently subscribe to.

[Isitme]

It looks like DS can publish internal Sky info whereas Skyuser was pulled up for doing much the same.
.........Or do Sky have a system of 'leaking' information they want in the public domain, which can be denied if they change their mind; and stopping what they don't?

[Space]

Usual "clever" pricing by sky. I pretty sure that the vast majority of people take the variety pack anyway. I also also suspect that Style & Culture is their least popular pack. The remaining four packs are narrow interest packs which people are unlikely to drop (no more Disney channel for the kids etc?) - so hello £25pm sub and a load more unwanted channels for many people, whereas before they would have taken maybe 2 packs at £21.50. Not exactly a price freeze unless I've misunderstood?

[Alan b]

.........Or do Sky have a system of 'leaking' information they want in the public domain,

Especially when it is good news.

I take 3 of them so it looks like I will end up with a load of channels I don't watch and whilst they will be free for one year at least I will have to look at my options next year when the prices will most likely go up.

But if you add this to the fact it looks like the multiroom HD sub is going then I can't really complain.

[Scubbie]

Aye, in your case Alan, the monthly subscription will drop (assuming the you have HD with the Multi-room STB).

Assuming that the packages will be split in the proposed manner, then I too will end up with lots of channels I do not choose to watch.

[Undecided Adrian]

To be honest I am looking at dropping the Sky movies now anyways.

LoveFilm seems to be doing what I want plus I also get games rentals and they have VOD thrown in.

I am only watching 1-2 movies a month and that is the premieres I am interested in.

So knocking that and the HD on the head would save me about £30 a month which isn't to be sneezed at since my wife lost her job.

So Sky get me with a load of channels I don't watch and I will just knock the premium off the list instead.

[Alan b]

What is interesting though is that this must be a pretty recent decision by Sky re the prices as all Sky's adverts in the newspapers and magazines in the small print says that "prices will rise on 1st September".

[Space]

What is interesting though is that this must be a pretty recent decision by Sky re the prices as all Sky's adverts in the newspapers and magazines in the small print says that "prices will rise on 1st September".

I suspect they're losing alot of customers right now due to belt tightening, so they needed to do something. They managed to keep me on a little longer at the beginning of this year with 50% subs for 6 months - as soon as that was up, it was bye bye - pretty sure I'm not the only one.

Also another thing to consider is advertisers. When they sell advertising, no doubt the advertisers ask how many subscribers there are, to assess value for money. More potential viewers probably means that Sky can squeeze the advertisers for a bit more cash.

Besides this looks to me like a 20% increase for many customers - delayed for 12 months - so they get a little less this year - but a lot more next year. It will be interesting to see if HD subs go next year - I would have thought that the time will be right then, due to FreeviewHD and FreesatHD getting more established - but that will be alot of cash that Sky will have to claw back from somewhere else. Personally I cant see 3D in its current form, ever taking up that slack.

[Alan b]

It is official now:

http://www.sky.com/mysky/enjoymore/entertainment

As well as the HD pack being per account instead of per box:

Sign in to My Sky

From September your HD subscription will cover your whole home so with over 54 channels available, the whole family can enjoy stunning high definition.