Sky raises price of Sky Sports, ESPN

[Larry-G]

BSkyB is raising its prices for its Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 networks, ESPN and an entertainment content package as of September after a two-year price freeze.

Media regulator Ofcom has disclosed the increases, and BSkyB published an advisory on its website, highlighting it has spent more than $600 million more per year on content. Each of the two Sky Sports channels will cost an additional 50p per month, and the price of ESPN will rise by £1 a month. The company’s Sky Entertainment packages will cost an extra £1.50 per month, but pricing for Sky Movies and other offers will remain unchanged, the company said.

“Having held our prices for 24 months, this September there will be a small price increase to some of our TV packages. We’re committed to investing for our customers, and over the last two years this has led to Sky investing nearly £400 million ($624 million) more in content per year, the launch of two new channels (in a Formula 1 channel and Sky Atlantic, which features HBO content) and award-winning products, including Sky Go and Sky Anytime+” said Sky.
The company also recently agreed to massively raise its spending on the English Premier League rights.

Sky added: “A small increase in our prices means that we can continue to reinvest in the best content for our customers, alongside market-leading innovation to make their experience even better.”

BSkyB is in the process of writing to all of its 10.5 million subscribers to advise them of what the price changes mean for them.

The change also effects other pay TV operators that have the right to carry the sports networks, including telecom giant BT and cable firm Virgin Media. The rate they pay to wholesale Sky Sports channels is linked to their retail price.

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