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Sky Not Doing Deals Anymore?


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Old 07-12-2016, 10:35
wintv
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The problem with the excessive discounting is customers think they can pretty much call all the shots nowadays and have everything on their own terms and at their own price. Sky have been far too flexible in my opinion, and now any attempt to reign it in is incredibly difficult.
I was prepared to pay the full price of £6.00 per month I was not looking for a discount on Box sets just obtaining the service. And yes we can call the shots by walking away from Sky remember we also have Virgin (many areas) , talk Talk, BT TV etc plus many streaming services Sky's attitude of being inflexible is short term petty but long term the beginning of the end as a market leader in providing a tv service - we do not see contracts on Now Tv I wonder why not???
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Old 07-12-2016, 11:10
johnson293
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Just been on live chat, and have kept on my TV Bundle (Boxsets + Cinema).

Am getting 60% off for 12 months, on a rolling monthly deal, + £50 account credit.

So the TV bundle is £22.40/month with no tie-in.

Happy enough with that - I did mention seeing 75% offers + credits, which is when he offered the £50.

So in 11 months, we do it all again!
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:06
aurichie
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I was prepared to pay the full price of £6.00 per month I was not looking for a discount on Box sets just obtaining the service. And yes we can call the shots by walking away from Sky remember we also have Virgin (many areas) , talk Talk, BT TV etc plus many streaming services Sky's attitude of being inflexible is short term petty but long term the beginning of the end as a market leader in providing a tv service - we do not see contracts on Now Tv I wonder why not???
If you think Sky are bad, definitely stay away from BT. Literally anything you do with BT automatically enrolls you in a new minimum term contract. And they expect you to sign new contracts every year if you want to keep your BT TV or BT Sport subscription at a even half reasonable price. The moment you are out of contract, they start jacking up the prices of everything until you sign anything from a new 12, 18 to 24 month contract. BT wants you locked into contracts forever.
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:12
aurichie
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Well they need to really. I remember thinking I would cancel Sky when the full package got over £30. Probably about the year 2000 I would think.

You can only have inflation busting price rises for so long before it becomes not value for money to a lot of people. I think their strategy now is keep people that are sick of the mad prices with amazing deals and let everyone else pay full price. It's the only thing they can do really when the prices start getting daft, otherwise they'd just lose a whole load of subscribers.

In the future I think they may have to think about trying to keep price rises to a minimum. If they carry on with above inflation rises eventually you get to a point where hardly anyone wants your service, even at discounted rates.
Well the CEO says he wants to scale back discounting and get more people paying the same fair price everyone is expected to pay. It's obviously challenging now so many people have gotten used to getting 50%-60% off their bill every month of every year for years.

I think the best way they do it is a two tier service where those who want heavy discounts stay on the legacy HD platform, and the UHD subscribers with leased hardware pay more. Eventually more people get seduced by the premium UHD offerings and become willing to pay the premium price again. And the legacy platform and the discounting dies a natural death over a period of years.
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:21
jonmorris
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Well the CEO says he wants to scale back discounting and get more people paying the same fair price everyone is expected to pay. It's obviously challenging now so many people have gotten used to getting 50%-60% off their bill every month of every year for years.

I think the best way they do it is a two tier service where those who want heavy discounts stay on the legacy HD platform, and the UHD subscribers with leased hardware pay more. Eventually more people get seduced by the premium UHD offerings and become willing to pay the premium price again. And the legacy platform and the discounting dies a natural death over a period of years.
Sky can aspire to get pricing up for all, but it will never succeed because I think a lot of people don't see TV as essential as it once was.

People are far more likely to spend time surfing the net, and of course streaming what they want on Amazon, Netflix or indeed illegal means via Kodi (which are so simple now, more people I know watch sport for free than ever did with the old days of having dodgy cards and needing to change codes etc).

Sky itself must be aware that the industry is moving towards streaming, and obviously as I've said many times before, Now TV is Sky's way of preparing.

At a recent European conference, I think it was said that some companies may stop using satellite as a means of delivery in the next 5 years or less. Perhaps the speed of broadband has improved enough in some markets (I'd argue we have a way to go before everyone could get UHD content over the net - unless compressed to death) but Sky must be thinking this.

My fear is that the ability to get such cheap TV via Now TV will end. We'll see more channels, but a price hike on passes. We may even see minimum terms on passes, or the splitting up of passes to force you to take on more (and pay more). Sort of like the kids pass, but worse.

Sky needs subscribers. Advertisers demand numbers, so as far as they're concerned, they don't care how much Sky is making - they just want viewers.

Sky simply cannot ever hope to cover for lost viewers and ad revenue by charging everyone else more. Well, they can hope but they're going to be sorely disappointed.

Ultimately, deals will continue. In fact, they'll grow. But Sky will continue to say that they're exceptions to the rule. How will the public at large prove otherwise? Because people here all say how easy it was? Sky could claim that we're the only ones to get offered discounts. Who would know? How could we prove otherwise?
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:37
Richard_Cranium
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Well the CEO says he wants to scale back discounting and get more people paying the same fair price everyone is expected to pay. It's obviously challenging now so many people have gotten used to getting 50%-60% off their bill every month of every year for years.

I think the best way they do it is a two tier service where those who want heavy discounts stay on the legacy HD platform, and the UHD subscribers with leased hardware pay more. Eventually more people get seduced by the premium UHD offerings and become willing to pay the premium price again. And the legacy platform and the discounting dies a natural death over a period of years.
lol not going to happen didnt you see october on mse.com?

sky threw skyQ codes at 35,000 mse members (new customers) at half price and only 30 quid install, they charged regular customers 300 quid for the install lol
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:41
Richard_Cranium
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Sky can aspire to get pricing up for all, but it will never succeed because I think a lot of people don't see TV as essential as it once was.

People are far more likely to spend time surfing the net, and of course streaming what they want on Amazon, Netflix or indeed illegal means via Kodi (which are so simple now, more people I know watch sport for free than ever did with the old days of having dodgy cards and needing to change codes etc).

Sky itself must be aware that the industry is moving towards streaming, and obviously as I've said many times before, Now TV is Sky's way of preparing.

At a recent European conference, I think it was said that some companies may stop using satellite as a means of delivery in the next 5 years or less. Perhaps the speed of broadband has improved enough in some markets (I'd argue we have a way to go before everyone could get UHD content over the net - unless compressed to death) but Sky must be thinking this.

My fear is that the ability to get such cheap TV via Now TV will end. We'll see more channels, but a price hike on passes. We may even see minimum terms on passes, or the splitting up of passes to force you to take on more (and pay more). Sort of like the kids pass, but worse.

Sky needs subscribers. Advertisers demand numbers, so as far as they're concerned, they don't care how much Sky is making - they just want viewers.

Sky simply cannot ever hope to cover for lost viewers and ad revenue by charging everyone else more. Well, they can hope but they're going to be sorely disappointed.

Ultimately, deals will continue. In fact, they'll grow. But Sky will continue to say that they're exceptions to the rule. How will the public at large prove otherwise? Because people here all say how easy it was? Sky could claim that we're the only ones to get offered discounts. Who would know? How could we prove otherwise?
sky will lose the premierleague in the future I lol after getting a letter from them saying they are upping my bill by 10% and heres why because we are giving you itv encore
they never mentioned in the same letter BT took the european football from them.

and yet aurichie defends them like a fanboy
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Old 07-12-2016, 14:53
jonmorris
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You have to wonder if anyone will pay the same amount of money for future football rights. Sky and BT must have each suffered a great deal from getting into a bidding war, and I wonder if they'll wish to do so again.
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Old 07-12-2016, 15:10
aurichie
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You have to wonder if anyone will pay the same amount of money for future football rights. Sky and BT must have each suffered a great deal from getting into a bidding war, and I wonder if they'll wish to do so again.
Ask most football fans if they would be willing to give up their Sky even if the price increased by another £50 a month starting next year. Most will answer no and would find a way to fund the massive price hike.
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Old 07-12-2016, 15:19
sodafountain
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sky will lose the premierleague in the future I lol after getting a letter from them saying they are upping my bill by 10% and heres why because we are giving you itv encore
they never mentioned in the same letter BT took the european football from them.

and yet aurichie defends them like a fanboy
Sky did not up everyone's bills by 10%, this has been said before time and time again.
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Old 07-12-2016, 15:48
gs1
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The problem with the excessive discounting is customers think they can pretty much call all the shots nowadays and have everything on their own terms and at their own price. Sky have been far too flexible in my opinion, and now any attempt to reign it in is incredibly difficult.
The Premier League deal has strengthened the hand of those who pursue discounts, in my opinion. Sky are having to look in many directions in an effort to cover the costs.

Adding subscribers at discount rates was a pre-existing part of the business model. Sky have attempted recently to "scale back" discounts- they conceded that it had caused a loss of about 10,000 subscribers in Q3 15/16 (1 Jan- 31 Mar 2016). In the past few weeks it's been noticeable, that rather than "scaling back" discounts, they've risen to up to 75% + account credits. This suggests to me, that they are unable to convert discounted customers to higher prices at a rate that compensates them for cancellations.

I would add to that, BT is experiencing strong growth in its tv customer base. This demonstrates, in my view, that consumers are willing to consider a traditional tv subscription service (with recording facility etc.) that compromises on content & price, but offers a broader range within its entry-level bundles.

Sky's choice remains whether they wish to retain customers, through discounting, who would otherwise be attracted to other providers. The signs in recent weeks, are that they are pursuing discounted custom more aggressively than when they announced they were scaling back.
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Old 07-12-2016, 16:17
Resonance
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Well the CEO says he wants to scale back discounting and get more people paying the same fair price everyone is expected to pay. It's obviously challenging now so many people have gotten used to getting 50%-60% off their bill every month of every year for years.

I think the best way they do it is a two tier service where those who want heavy discounts stay on the legacy HD platform, and the UHD subscribers with leased hardware pay more. Eventually more people get seduced by the premium UHD offerings and become willing to pay the premium price again. And the legacy platform and the discounting dies a natural death over a period of years.
Hasn't the CEO being saying he wants to scale back discounts for a while now. It seemed to happen for a few months and then it was back to business as usual (heavy discounting)
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Old 07-12-2016, 16:34
jonmorris
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Ask most football fans if they would be willing to give up their Sky even if the price increased by another £50 a month starting next year. Most will answer no and would find a way to fund the massive price hike.
Yes, but not all Sky customers are footie fans and there lies the problem. If Sky lose the others, by having jacked up prices on more than just sports packages, then the sport plans will have to go up even more.

And I think a lot of people are now getting football illegally, especially as it means being able to get the 3pm games.
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:02
hythers
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Having had enough of forking out a lot of money each month to Sky and despite being with them since the old analogue days, i finally had enough and last month cancelled my subscription. I have just been online with Sky to confirm that the termination date for my TV subscription will be tomorrow. During my online chat I was offered an effective 11% discount to stay ,which i rejected out of hand, but the so called 'expert' followed it up by telling me it was 'equivalent to a new pair of trainers'. So endearing, he almost had me sign back up there and then.
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:04
anyonefortennis
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Having had enough of forking out a lot of money each month to Sky and despite being with them since the old analogue days, i finally had enough and last month cancelled my subscription. I have just been online with Sky to confirm that the termination date for my TV subscription will be tomorrow. During my online chat I was offered an effective 11% discount to stay ,which i rejected out of hand, but the so called 'expert' followed it up by telling me it was 'equivalent to a new pair of trainers'. So endearing, he almost had me sign back up there and then.
11% What a flaming liberty.
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:10
hythers
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I wasnt even after a discount ( I'm not saying i wouldnt have taken it if it had been worthwhile though ) But i am obviously not one of the chosen 60% brigade. Hey,ho i will now be able to buy 9 pairs of trainers a year with my savings
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:24
anyonefortennis
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I wasnt even after a discount ( I'm not saying i wouldnt have taken it if it had been worthwhile though ) But i am obviously not one of the chosen 60% brigade. Hey,ho i will now be able to buy 9 pairs of trainers a year with my savings
lol Have you checked your online account to see if the offer is any higher or access your account via your remote? Haven't heard of anyone on here who has been offered such a low percentage for quite a while. The lowest recently is 50%.
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:35
hythers
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I checked my sky online and apparently if I had Sky Q i could get a Sky Q multiscreen for £12 extra a month
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:36
anyonefortennis
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I checked my sky online and apparently if I had Sky Q i could get a Sky Q multiscreen for £12 extra a month
Hmmmm. That's very odd. Do you have marketing preferences set to Opt In?
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:44
hythers
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Hmmmm. That's very odd. Do you have marketing preferences set to Opt In?
Yep, I think i must have royally p*ssed the Murdochs off somehow
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:45
anyonefortennis
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Yep, I think i must have royally p*ssed the Murdochs off somehow
I bet you'll get a much higher offer once your service terminates. Probably within a week.
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Old 07-12-2016, 18:48
mastanlem
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I wasnt even after a discount ( I'm not saying i wouldnt have taken it if it had been worthwhile though ) But i am obviously not one of the chosen 60% brigade. Hey,ho i will now be able to buy 9 pairs of trainers a year with my savings
Once you have been cut off do a google search (come back to sky). You can then live chat to someone online who may offer 60%. I did this a month ago and haggled for 75% off plus £100 credit. Which I got but entered a new=12month contact.
Good luck.
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Old 07-12-2016, 19:26
hythers
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I bet you'll get a much higher offer once your service terminates. Probably within a week.
Once you have been cut off do a google search (come back to sky). You can then live chat to someone online who may offer 60%. I did this a month ago and haggled for 75% off plus £100 credit. Which I got but entered a new=12month contact.
Good luck.
Funnily enough i just checked via the Sky box and there is an offer there of 60% but not when logged into the website or online chat with their 'expert' Go figure ??
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Old 07-12-2016, 19:34
anyonefortennis
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Funnily enough i just checked via the Sky box and there is an offer there of 60% but not when logged into the website or online chat with their 'expert' Go figure ??
Aaaah. I knew there would be a better offer in there somewhere. Kerrrching!!! Go onto Live Chat and tell them there is a 60% offer on your account and ask them for some credit also. See if you can get another £100 credit. If you are willing to wait until after your cut off date you will probably get a 75% offer. But you might be happy enough with the 60% offer. It's up to you. It's win win either way.
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Old 07-12-2016, 19:53
hythers
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Aaaah. I knew there would be a better offer in there somewhere. Kerrrching!!! Go onto Live Chat and tell them there is a 60% offer on your account and ask them for some credit also. See if you can get another £100 credit. If you are willing to wait until after your cut off date you will probably get a 75% offer. But you might be happy enough with the 60% offer. It's up to you. It's win win either way.
Cheers . I think I will wait as I am quite happy to walk away right now ( just don't tell my kids ).

You never know, I might get a decent Sky Q offer
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