Champions League coverage justifies price hike, says Sky

Sky has said that the recent Sky Sports subscription price hike is justified, due to increased Champions League coverage.

Publicans are furious with the price rise, which, in some cases, is as high as 22 per cent.

However a spokeswoman for Sky said the Champions League coverage is the jewel in their crown for the coming season. "Pub audiences for the Premiership continue to grow and this year our customers will also benefit from over 100 live UEFA Champions League matches. During the group stage licensees can choose from the 16 games a week shown live on Sky digital.

"Sky's prices reflect the value of Sky programming to our customers and the increasing cost to us of providing this programming. This year we have also added three new Sky music channels and extended free viewing of the Attheraces channel. We are continually adding value to our pub and club subscription package."

Madge Khan, licensee of the Crown Tavern in Hayes, Middlesex, whose subscription rate has risen from £528 to £646 per month, does not believe the price rise is fair. She said: "We can't afford this and are fighting a losing battle. We had Attheraces free last year anyway and we can't show the music channels, because we don't have the right licence."

Related articles:​ Pub companies slam Sky price-hike (7 July 2003)

Anger as Sky hikes up fees (3 July 2003)

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