ALMR: Members are ditching Sky

Around 20% of multiple operators have ditched Sky since 2003 as the average subscription price reaches £15,000 a year, according to the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

But Sky flatly denies there has been any significant drop in overall subscriptions and that the average subscription is anywhere near the £15,000 mark. It has around 40,000 commercial customers including pubs and bars.

Sky recently announced a price freeze for the coming season - all be it that those who took advantage of last year's deal face an 11% rise by way of a catch up.

Sky also restructured its packages with an extra subscription now payable for the At the Races channel.

"If the price of lager since 1996 had risen at the same rate as pub Sky subscriptions, we would currently be paying over £9 for a pint," said ALMR chief executive Nick Bish. "Sky is holding our local pubs to ransom."

ALMR member Vince Healey of Ascot Inns, which runs four pubs in the south, said: "My Sky subscription has gone up by 463% over the past 12 years.

"The BBC licence fee has increased by just 57%. Sky claimed it froze prices but the products are completely different."

However, Sky insisted its latest offer would help licensees out in the current difficult trading circumstances. "There is no doubt that trading conditions are difficult for landlords at present with increasing pressure from rising utility bills and drinks prices, and reducing customer demand in the face of the credit crunch and the smoking ban," a spokesperson said.

"We've responded to the difficulties facing our customers and, to assist publicans, we've kept our prices unchanged and frozen at the September 2007 prices.

"This comes at a time when our packages offer more high-quality content than ever, as we continue to invest in sporting rights."