Prepare for kick off with the best sports TV channel mix
The summer sports season is underway and hardcore sports devotees will undoubtedly be sat in the front row.
However, for those who missed out on tickets there are more options and ways to save money watching sports on television than ever this year, which is great news for sports fans.
Jon Ingram, product director, Digitalchoices.co.uk, commented: "There's more choice than ever for fans looking to watch their favourite sporting events this summer. Sky has long dominated sports television, but with some very attractive sports offerings from both BT and Virgin Media fans can now benefit from competitively priced sports TV options.
"For those on a really tight budget, Freeview and Freesat are offering increasingly attractive alternatives to the bigger digital TV players. HD (high definition) subscribers can now watch a larger number of sporting events, like the Grand Prix, and highlights like MOTD and the Cricket in HD with no monthly subscription charge.
"Never one to be out-done, Sky's new Sky GO service enables Sky TV subscribers to access their television content across multiple media channels, including laptops, smartphones and tablets. This will mean that Sky multi-room customers have the option to save their £10 per month charge by watching their favourite Sports on their iPad, or laptop and they can watch their sports channels at home or on the go.
"For the more thrifty football fans, with most football games appearing on Sky Sports 1, you could cut your monthly subscription cost by choosing just the Sky Sports 1 option from any of the three providers. However for die hard devotees looking to experience the full glory of their new HD TV, Sky is the only provider to offer Sky Sports 1, 2, 3, and 4 in HD.
"If you are already on a sports television package and are thinking about switching it is always worth calling your present provider to see if they are willing to offer a better deal to keep you as a customer."
Digitalchoices.co.uk offers sports fans the following top tips for finding the best deals to watch sports television this summer:
1. 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.
2. Check the small print - whilst a package may look ideal on the face of it, always read the small print as some deals are only available to new customers
3. Consider bundling up - if you are thinking about signing up to a TV package from BT Vision, Virgin Media or Sky then you should consider taking your broadband and home phone services from them as well. All three providers offer significant discounts for customers bundling these services together.
4. 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.