Sky Sports competition intensifies further with Freeview deal
Sky and Top Up TV have agreed a deal that will allow Freeview customers to watch Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2.
The move comes after rivals Virgin Media and BT secured deals to offer the channels following a recent Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling.
Under the terms, the service can be paid for monthly, unlike its other competitors, where customers agree a subscription.
Virgin Media began marketing its offering of showing Sky Sports in high definition from next month, at an additional cost of £7 a month.
Last month, BT Vision also acquired rights to Sky Sports 1 and 2 following the ruling, though not in HD, and is promoting the channels under the “cheapest price” banner with a £30m ad campaign.
Eric Cantona is fronting a multi-million pound marketing campaign for Sky highlighting the “unpredictability” of sport and the availability of all five HD sports on its service. Only Freesat is yet to announce a deal with Sky.
Top Up TV’s chief executive Nick Markham says the Freeview package gives subscribers more freedom.
“With no 12 month contract, the lowest stand-alone price and no need to buy bundled packages, Top Up TV puts fans in control,” he says.
