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Sky prices increase by 10 per cent in September

Sky prices are to climb by up to 10 per cent in September as the war between Sky and BT hots up.

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm
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Sky prices are to climb by up to 10 per cent in September as the war between Sky and BT hots up.

According to the small print on the page where you buy Sky, the price hikes will happen on 1 September. Sky says the increase is "up to 10 per cent in accordance with our standard terms."

On the cheapest TV deal, a 10 per cent increase means an extra £2 per month. For the top-whack, all-in, high-definition deal, that's an increase of around £6.50 to take your monthly outlay over £70.

The same small print also notes that sports channels ESPN & ESPN Classic will be dropped from the Sky TV subscription service after 31 July -- no surprise, considering ESPN was bought earlier this year by Sky's rival BT.

If it's sport you're after, BT is introducing two new BT Sports channels alongside ESPN, offering sporting highlights including live Premier League and European football.

The rivalry between BT and Sky is hotting up over paid TV services, broadband, and phone lines.

Sky customers can still watch BT Sports channels if you cough up £12 per month. BT broadband customers get BT's sport channels for free -- but they're also seeing a climb in line rental. If you pay your year's line rental up front with BT's Rental Saver Plan, you'll save over standard line rental, but the Rental Saver Plan fee is set to climb £12 to £141.

Regular BT line rental is frozen until 2014, suggesting an increase next year.

Meanwhile the arrival of Sky's own Now TV makes it easier to watch the new sports and movies that are monopolised by Sky, without needing a dish. That makes it easier to opt out of Sky if you don't like the look of the new prices, while still having access to new releases and live sports.

Is Sky's price increase fair, or is Sky already expensive enough? Are you with Sky, BT, Virgin or someone else -- and are you tempted to switch? What's most important in your telly and broadband service: price or lots of services? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or head for our Facebook page, which will never increase in price, because it's free. You're welcome.