TV has been a key source of entertainment during the pandemic and it is likely to remain critical for many months to come. But it can also be a source of anxiety as TV bills continue to grow and companies continue to pile on the pressure with mid-contract price hikes. Therefore, the importance of understanding the costs associated with various pay-TV packages cannot be understated.
Alistair Thom, CEO of Freesat – the free-to-air satellite TV provider – commented: “The past year has proved highly stressful – whether we’re contending with remote working issues, childcare commitments or, just the pure impact of Covid-19 on physical interactions that previously provided so much joy.
“Indeed, research from the Mental Health Foundation, found that nearly three quarters of people admitted to feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope with stress brought on by the pandemic. In many cases our emotional wellbeing can be directly linked to our financial health.
“Now, with the end of lockdown getting ever closer, it’s a good time to get into financial shape. The prospect of more social freedom should trigger people to revaluate whether it’s worth maintaining the high monthly fees associated with Pay-TV when they can find many of the same viewing choices elsewhere and for free.”
For many, sticking to a budget will be key ahead of any long-awaited, post-lockdown purchases. There will also be those who need to keep the purse strings tightened so they can recover any financial losses from last year. Did you know, we found half of the UK don’t know exactly how much they spend on their Pay-TV subscriptions each month? Try and track what you’re spending, as the true cost of your TV payments could be hidden amongst your other expenses.
From today, millions of Sky customers will see their bills increase as the broadband and TV providers’ latest series of price hikes take effect. This follows Virgin Media’s price rise of up to £54 per year for its customers just a month previous. At a time when so many of us are keeping a closer eye on areas where we can reduce our costs, it’s important to be aware of this change and ensure you’re regularly checking your contract. For those looking for the best deal, it’s wise to wait until your contract is up for renewal before trying to negotiate a better rate that’s more appropriate to your usage – remember not only should you not be penalised for your customer loyalty, but you also shouldn’t have to pay for more than you use.
While we’ve all certainly been clocking up the hours spent watching TV in lockdown, the truth is nobody really watches absolutely “everything”. In fact, a lion’s share of what gets watched on television comes from free-to-air TV, so it pays to understand what you are watching. Quite often you’re really paying to watch only one or two programmes. Free-to-air can offer a huge range of channels and choices, particularly when combined with On-Demand services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Some people are not aware that there are pay-as-you-go alternatives to let you watch the PayTV programmes you want, so it’s worth investigating the right combination of services that works for you.
Otherwise, taking the time to run a quick online comparison to see what deals are available, and the length of contract needed for each, will help you feel more informed, and in better financial control, when it comes to your choice of at-home entertainment.
Working remotely isn’t always easy. To counter the hours spent crouched over a laptop, why not enjoy putting your feet up in front of the TV as social restrictions ease further. Take time for yourself and ensure you don’t miss a moment of all the latest shows TV has to offer – whether that’s a new hit series like Married at First Sight Australia or returning favourites such as Line of Duty.
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