BT Sport and TV customers to face price hikes of up to £72/yr

All BT TV and Sport customers who took out their current deal before 21 February 2020 will see bills rise, as will some who've taken out one since – they will see the price of BT TV go up by £2/month, and BT Sport by £4/mth.

It comes after BT separately announced that most of its broadband, landline, mobile and TV customers who renew or sign up to a new deal from 1 September 2020 face inflation-busting price hikes next year – see our Warning for BT and EE customers MSE News story for full details.

BT says BT Sport and BT TV customers WON'T face a price hike double-whammy though – the BT Sport and BT TV hike only hits those on deals you can no longer recontract to, while the hike we warned of last week will only affect those who recontract.

For how to pick the right package and haggle a discount, see Digital TV Deals. You can also compare prices using our free Broadband Unbundled tool.

How are BT Sport and BT TV prices changing?

Some will see the cost of BT TV go up by £2/mth, and the cost of BT Sport by £4/mth. BT says the price will change on 1 November 2020, though we're double-checking if those on special discount deals could see their price rise later, and will update this story when we know more.

BT won't say how many people are affected, but you'll be contacted if the price hike affects you. You'll see your bill go up if you fall into EITHER of the following two categories:

• You signed your current BT Sport or BT TV deal before 21 February 2020. Everyone in this position will see prices rise.

• OR you signed your current deal on or after 21 February 2020, and it's NOT one of BT's new 'Flexible' packages. BT launched a series of 'Flexible' TV packages in February, which enable you to change what TV you're signed up to month-to-month. If you have a 'Flexible' package, you're not affected, but if you signed up to your current deal since 21 February 2020 and it's not one of the 'Flexible' packages, you will be.

Some customers who have BT TV and BT Sport will be affected by both rises and will see a total increase of £6/mth (£2 for their TV package, £4 for their Sport package) – equivalent to £72 over a year.

BT says customers shouldn't be hit by both this hike and the inflation-busting increases planned for next year – if you're hit by this hike, it'll be because you're on a product you can no longer recontract to, and next year's hikes only apply if you renew.

The only way you might be hit by both is if between the November hike hitting and the inflation-busting rises next March you choose to leave the deal you're on and recontract to a newer deal. If you do want to recontract to a newer deal, it makes sense to arrange it before the November hike hits – especially as you can leave penalty-free, as we explain below.

How to beat the hike – you can haggle or ditch and switch

If you aren't happy with the price rise, the good news is you can leave BT TV or Sport penalty-free as long as you contact BT by 31 October 2020. You can contact its customer service team on 0800 800 150. However, remember that most telecoms firms regularly increase prices, so this may not be the best option. If you're on a good BT deal, you may want to stick with it regardless – don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

If you are happy to stick with BT, you could check if any of its new 'Flexible' packages offer you a better deal, as they are exempt from the price hike. Alternatively, this is a golden opportunity to haggle yourself an improved deal – especially as you have the right to leave penalty-free, which is great haggling ammunition. See our Haggle with BT guide for detailed tips.

What does BT say?

A BT spokesperson said: "To continue investing in a quality viewing experience, we'll be changing the prices of some of our BT TV and BT Sport packages for existing customers by £2 and £4 per month.

"Not all customers are affected, and many will find that our new, flexible TV packages offer them a better deal, with the freedom to upgrade, downgrade and add on content month-to-month, while offering a wide selection of the very best TV shows, films and sport.

"If customers are still unhappy with the change, they can leave their current contract penalty-free."