Sky broadband and TV price increase 2024 - what can customers do?

Sky increased its prices by an average of 6.7% for almost all of its broadband and TV customers in April 2024.

It's a slightly lower price increase than most other broadband and TV providers, who raised their prices by 7.9%.

But unlike these providers, Sky actually lets you leave your broadband contract early for free as a result of its annual price rise. You just have to do so within 30 days of when you received your price rise notification from Sky, which means the window to do this for 2024 may now have passed.

If you pay for Sky TV, however, you're likely locked into a price rises. Which means that while Sky broadband customers are able to leave their contract within 30 days, you'll still have to pay early exit fees if you want to leave your TV contract.

Here's all you need to know about Sky's annual price increase in 2024.

Sky 2024 price increase

Sky announced its 2024 price increase on the 7th February, with the average increase customers rate at 6.7%.

Sky doesn't have a set price increase amount, since it doesn't link them to a particular inflation figure like most other major providers do. Last year's price increase of 8% was considerably lower than other providers (who added up to 15% to customers' bills), but it was still its highest-ever annual price hike.

Its website terms and conditions state that 'prices and products can change, even during your minimum term'. This essentially means it doesn't have a set yearly price rise, but it reserves the right to do so - even if you're in the middle of your contract.

If you plan to switch your broadband as a result of Sky's price rise, take a look at some of our latest broadband deals.

Who was affected by the 2024 Sky price increase?

This price increase affected the vast majority of Sky's broadband and TV customers.

This means that all Sky broadband and TV customers saw their prices go up by an average of 6.7% from their first bill after 1st April 2024, except for:

• Sky customers identified by the provider as 'vulnerable'

• Sky Broadband Basics social tariff users

Learn more about Sky's broadband social tariff, and see which other providers offer them.

Sky started notifying its customers of the price increase in February 2024, so any affected customers would've had a 30-day window to cancel their contract for free from the date they received a notification.

Find out which providers do and don't have mid-contract price rises.

How much was the 2024 Sky price increase?

If you currently pay for a broadband, TV or home phone service from Sky, your bill likely went up by about 6.7% - that's the average increase amount reported by the provider.

Here's how a 6.7% price increase affects your bills, depending on how much you may currently pay on a monthly basis:

When did Sky prices go up?

On your first bill after the 1st April 2024. All customers who were affected by this price hike would have seen their first increased monthly rate in their April monthly bill.

What can Sky customers do if their prices increase?

If you’re a broadband customer affected by Sky’s price increases, you will be allowed to leave your contract early without paying a cancellation fee - but only within 30 days from the date you are notified by Sky.

If you pay for Sky Q TV or Sky Stream, though, this policy doesn't apply. So you'd have to pay early termination fees if you want to cancel your TV contract. This also applies if you pay for a broadband and TV bundle - you'll be able to cancel your broadband for free but will likely have to move onto a TV-only tariff with Sky.

Most providers don't let you leave your contract early for free after a price increase, but just be mindful that other providers increase their prices annually too. So you might still be faced with one next year if you switch to a provider that does.

However, there are some providers that don't increase their prices mid-contract at all. So if deals from any of these providers are available at your home, you might be able to secure a consistent price for the duration of your contract.

Should I stay with Sky?

If you have a TV contract added to your Sky broadband subscription, you might have a tough decision to make. Other broadband providers like BT and Virgin Media offer equally comprehensive TV services, but if you're loyal to Sky TV it might make sense to stick with its broadband service too.

Also, Sky's price increase was noticeably lower than most other providers, so it might not be worth switching to another provider if you want your bill to stick as close as you can to the initial monthly price.

However, if you're been looking to leave Sky for a while and your contract is approaching an end, now might be the perfect time to switch. You may soon be able to change providers straight away, at no extra cost.

Why is Sky increasing prices?

Unlike most other providers, Sky doesn't include a set annual price hike in its terms and conditions, and its price hike for 2024 is actually slightly lower than the 7.9% other brands have incurred.

But that doesn't stop Sky from upping its prices almost every year, despite displaying a specific monthly fee to customers before they sign up. So why do they do this?

The two main reasons Sky issues a yearly price increase is roughly the same as other providers:

• The rate of inflation

• Upgrades and expansions to its broadband and TV networks

Both of these drive the cost of business up on a yearly basis, which is why it often sends part of that cost onto customers in the form of price hikes. But this still puts customers in a difficult situation.

Under this process, there's no way of telling what the inflation rate is going to be in a year's time - so customers who agree to a certain monthly price don't know how much they'll be paying per month by the end of their contract.

It has also meant that customers have had to stomach a high price increase of over 6% - an amount that hardly anyone expected to be paying 18 months ago when they signed up.

Sky has done better than other providers with decoupling its price increase from inflation, but it will still be an unwelcome sting in a time when prices remain very high across for other services.

Sky end of contract price hike

An annual price hike while you’re mid-contract isn’t the only increase to your bills you should be aware of. Once your contract ends, Sky will likely increase your monthly prices by a huge 30-40% if you don’t switch or re-contract to a new deal.

Broadband providers are allowed to significantly increase your bill once your contract ends, because your agreed period with them has finished, and you’re free to find a new broadband deal with just one month’s notice.

However as a result, providers now must inform their customers when their contract is coming to end. So make sure to watch out for a notification from Sky that tells you that your fixed-term is finishing. Once you receive that message, you can start looking for new broadband deals.

Make sure you avoid an expensive price hike from Sky by checking when your contract is due to end. You can find this on your My Sky account online, or potentially by checking one of your bills.

This way, you can plan when to find a new broadband deal so you aren’t stung with higher out of contract prices.

How can I contact Sky?

While switching can save you money, you might still want to stay with Sky if you’re happy with your service — especially if you’re subscribed to one of Sky’s TV packages — but that doesn’t mean you have to stay silent.

If you want to let Sky know you’re unhappy with the price increases, or if you’d like to try to haggle a better deal, you can contact Sky in several ways:

• Phone (Sky cancellation contact number): Sky’s complaints line is 0330 041 3875. Calls to this number are free for Sky Mobile and Sky Talk customers; however, charges may apply if you’re calling from a different provider.

• Online chat: You can reach Sky Experts on live chat for free between 8:30am and 9pm, seven days a week.

• Twitter: The @SkyHelpTeam account is available from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends.

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