Licensees in uproar over Sky Premiership Plus price hike

Licensees are in uproar as Sky has hiked the price of its pay-per-view football channel Premiership Plus.

The Publican has been inundated with calls from outraged licensees who claim their hikes in some cases are over 400 per cent.

This latest price increase comes less than a month after another increase in annual subscription charges of 18 per cent for Premiership football.

This year Sky has changed its pricing policy for the pay per view games and is charging based on the rateable value of the pub.

John Brind of the New Inn in Buckby Wharf, Northants will see the cost of the service go up to £1,600 from only £400 last year.

"That's a ridiculous price hike. That's colossal. I was expecting the cost to be £400 to £500. I can't see how they can justify it."

Bob Quince, licensee of the Royal Oak in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire has seen his cost rise to £1,400 from £400 last year. He told thePublican.com: "I'll have to cancel it. I can't afford it. How can they justify this."

Alan Reeve, licensee of the Cask & Bottle in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire said: "This means that the cost of showing these games next year is a staggering £1600 + vat for me. This being a 457 per cent increase. Surely this should be a issue with the monopolies commission."

Sky said the new Premiership Plus package is an optional service that offers licensees the choice of even more matches in addition to the 88 Premiership matches already included in the subscription package.

A spokesperson for Sky said: "This year Prem Plus gives pubs the opportunity of showing Premiership matches on a Saturday to complement the Sunday and Monday matches they already get as part of their subscription package. Depending on your outlet, the Prem Plus Season ticket is the equivalent of only £16-36 per match."

Prices​

• Bands A - D:​ £800
• Bands E - H:​ £1,400
• Bands I - L:​ £1,600
• Bands M - W:​ £1,800

Vote!​

Related articles:​

Outrage over Sky fee rise (21 June 2004)