Are you ready for kick off this summer?
As the weather heats up so too does the summer schedule for sports fanatics - World Cup qualifiers, Lions Tour, Ashes Test Matches... the list is almost endless when it comes to the must see events of the summer sport season.The choice of channels and providers can be daunting, not to mention the potential cost of catching every sports event on TV but, with the help of this guide, and by following our 5 top tips, it's clear that there is something for every level of sports fan and every size of budget.
Michael Phillips of comparison service DigitalChoices.co.uk says:
1. Something for nothing
"If you really don't want to spend anything on your sports viewing then Freeview/Freesat is the only way to go. You can still tune in to Wimbledon, F1 and the FA Cup and Freesat customers with the right set top box can also enjoy high definition (HD). It's simple to set up and it's free - and it really doesn't get cheaper than that."
2. The minimum spend
"If you are an existing BT broadband customer or if you live in a Freeview area and you want a sample of live sports coverage for a minimum outlay then opting for BT Vision with free Setanta Sports 1 or Setanta Freeview is a sensible choice. Setanta Sports offers live Barclays Premiership games; 2010 away World Cup qualifiers; and some serious live golf coverage with the PGA."
3. Middle of the road
"For the sports fan that wants something more but who doesn't wants to spend over £40 per month for their sporting fix, then subscribing to Sky Sports through Virgin Media is a good solution. Sky Sports covers over 60% of live Premier League matches as well as The Ashes, the US Open golf and the Lions Tour."
4. In at the deep end
"Virgin Media's TV Size: XL with Sky Sports Collection and free Setanta Sports offers unbeatable value, ensuring you never miss a live sporting event on TV. This package will give you every live Barclays Premiership game and all the rugby, cricket, tennis and golf you could wish for. From motor sports fans to pugilists, everything is covered."
5. High Definition spectaculars
"The latest must-have for sport on TV is High Definition (HD), providing a truly immersive, visually stunning experience. Sky's Sky+ HD service brings all the content of Setanta and Sky Sports to your arm chair but in HD format."
Michael continues: "Consumers may be tightening their belts this year but that is no reason to miss out on the sporting fun this summer. The range of choice for the stay at home sports fan can be daunting at first glance but by asking yourself a few simple questions and using a reputable comparison service like DigitalChoices.co.uk you can quickly find something to match your sporting interests and budget."
Top tips for choosing the right TV sports package:
Check the TV schedule - with sporting events now spread across various channels it's worth doing some homework as to which sports, events and specific fixtures are featured on which channels before you sign up. Do your research and don't assume that any one channel will have all that you need.
Check contract length - some channels and providers to sign up to a full 12 month contract for their sports channels. For example, Sky whilst customers have to commit to 12 months for the basic TV service they can then switch in and out of specific channel packs from month to month.
Consider bundling up - if you are thinking about signing up to a TV package from Virgin Media or Sky then you should consider taking your broadband and home phone services from them as well. Both providers offer significant discounts for customers bundling these three services together.
Don't be afraid to haggle - if you already subscribe to a sports TV package and are reviewing your options, give your provider the opportunity to try and keep you as a customer. Special offers and competitive rates are usually only for new customers but existing customers can call up and ask for the same benefits - it's possible your provider will bend on the issue in a bid to keep you from switching.