Call for pubs to kick out Sky

Disgruntled licensees are urging pubs to kick out Sky - as a response to the satellite operators latest price hike.

Licensees have contacted The Publican to vent their anger at Sky's 13 per cent annual increase for pubs, coming into effect on August 1.

And one publican is even proposing to launch a national media campaign calling for pubs to boycott Sky.

Howell Williams, licensee at the Highway Man, in Bridgend, South Wales, said: "The time has come for us to go on national TV and fight against them. Let's us go to the government and see what they are able to do... and not sit on our butts and take this abuse."

Sky's inflation-busting annual price rises regularly provoke criticism from licensees. Last year the average rise was 12 per cent.

But with the financial burden of the Licensing Act over the past six months, it appears that pubs are finally taking action.

Barry Rudram, licensee at the Hearts of Oak, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, said: "If we were united and closed our Sky contracts they would have to rethink. It's all in our own hands. Stop your contract now."

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has also hit out at the rises. Chief executive, Nick Bish, said: "This increase is a further slap in the face for licensees who are already struggling to make Sky pay.

"I have no doubt that for some operators and their pubs, this increase will simply be too much to bear."

But according to independent research more than 6.1 million people now watch live sport in a pub or club each week.

A spokesperson for Sky said: "Sky offers pubs and clubs the opportunity to show the best televised sport available and we believe that businesses that choose Sky do so for sound commercial reasons."