Out-of-contract UK households with broadband and live sports packages are overpaying by an average of £373 a year, comparison website Uswitch has warned.
With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, broadband expert Ernest Doku from Uswitch is urging sports fans to check their contracts immediately to avoid sharp price hikes when fixed terms expire.
Research conducted by Uswitch found that out-of-contract bundles combining internet, television, and sports coverage average an extra charge of £31.10 per month, adding up to £373 annually across major UK providers including BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Once a standard two-year contract ends, prices for these combined packages can spike sharply, reaching as high as £151 a month for out-of-contract customers.
Costly bundle blindspot
According to Uswitch research, 35 per cent of bundle customers wrongly believe they must remain with their current broadband provider in order to keep accessing live sports channels and streaming services.
Ernest Doku says that "switching to standalone broadband and rolling monthly sports apps can deliver the same content for less."
"Sport bundles are well priced for new customers right now, and we're seeing strong deals across the market. Just make sure you know when any introductory pricing ends, and what the ongoing rate will be, before you commit," said Doku.
Flexible sports streaming options
For customers who are not locked into a contract, switching to a cheaper broadband deal is a case of comparing options and signing up with a new provider, who will handle the changeover while sports channels are managed separately.
Football fans looking to avoid long-term bundled contracts can switch to flexible, standalone streaming passes that can be paid for on a monthly basis:
- Now TV Sports Flexible (12 Sky Sports channels): £34.99 a month
- TNT Sports through HBO Max: £30.99 a month
- Amazon Prime (select football fixtures): £8.99 a month
Broadband speeds and provider deals
Smaller and regional internet providers have been offering very competitive deals recently, making it worthwhile for households to check available options in their local area.
BT is currently facing a backlash for charging a £30 setup fee for broadband, while rival internet providers offer alternative packages with better terms.
Uswitch recommends calculating total monthly expenses, including internet, standalone sports apps, and streaming services like Netflix, to ensure separate subscriptions remain cheaper than a bundle.
The comparison site also noted that households do not need to pay for very high speeds unless they use the internet heavily, such as for online gaming or simultaneous streaming and working from home.
Broadband speeds of 101-500Mbps (megabits per second) suit larger homes of three or more people, according to Uswitch guidance.
Beating rising contract costs
Broadband, television, and landline phone contracts are notoriously sticky in the UK, with customers frequently allowing deals to run on for years while providers raise prices.
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, consumers can compare deals via price comparison websites like Uswitch or directly with providers to secure faster broadband, an improved TV package, and lower monthly bills.
