Bundled Deals for Football Season: A Comparison of TV and Broadband Packages

Strategic Insights -

Bundled deals for the football season are flooding the market, with TV and broadband packages available from major providers like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky. While these deals may seem attractive, the true cost can be obscured by complex digital TV markets and hidden fees. According to Simplify Digital, bundling TV, landline, and broadband with one provider can save hundreds of pounds per year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cheapest bundle for TV is from BT, with a digital TV service costing £27.97 a month (£335.64 in the first year) and line rental at £9.49 a month.
  • BT's Total Sports Max package is £32.97 a month (£395.64 annually) for Sky Sports and ESPN, with line rental and set-up fees as above.
  • Virgin Media's M+ bundle offers up to 65 channels for £30.95 for the first two months and £56.45 thereafter (£626.40 in total for the first year), with line rental at £11.99 a month.
  • Sky's package with up to 42 HD channels and the full Sky Sports Collection is £56.50 monthly (£678 for the year), with line rental at £11 a month and a free HD box and set-up if purchased online.
  • Top Up TV offers the only Sky Sports deal without a minimum contract, charging £31.99 a month for Sky Sports 1 and 2, or £39.99 for Sky Sports 1 and 2 with ESPN.

Statistics:

  • The cheapest basic sports package is Top Up TV's deal for £31.99 a month, with a set-top box costing £39.99 and a £20 connection fee.
  • BT's Total Sports Max package costs £32.97 a month (£395.64 annually), making it significantly cheaper than Virgin Media's M+ bundle.
  • Sky's package, with up to 42 HD channels and the full Sky Sports Collection, is £56.50 monthly (£678 for the year), with a £11 a month line rental and a free HD box and set-up if purchased online.
  • Bundling TV, landline, and broadband with one provider can save hundreds of pounds per year, according to Simplify Digital.

Sources:

  • Lawrence Bleach at Simplify Digital
  • BT: Bundled TV and broadband deals
  • Virgin Media: M+ bundle
  • Sky: Sky Sports Collection and HD bundles
  • Top Up TV: Sky Sports package without a minimum contract
  • Simplify Digital: TV and broadband comparison site