← All guides · Updated 2 November 2026
Sky or Virgin Media price rise: what you can do
Sky, Virgin Media and other TV and broadband providers often raise prices each year, commonly in April. Whether you can leave without paying an exit fee depends on your contract, not on the provider. Here's how to work out where you stand.
We're not affiliated with Sky or Virgin Media. Their prices and terms change, so always check your own contract and the notice they send you.
Step 1: was the rise in your contract?
Ofcom's rules (in force since 17 January 2025 for new contracts) require phone, broadband and pay-TV providers to set out any price rises in pounds and pence before you sign, and say when they'll happen. Inflation-linked or percentage rises can't be written into new contracts.
- If your contract set out the rise (for example "£3 more a month from April"), it's part of what you agreed, and you generally can't leave penalty-free because of it.
- If your contract didn't say how much the price could rise, or the rise is bigger than your contract allowed, Ofcom says the provider must give you at least 30 days' notice and let you leave within 30 days without exit fees.
- If you signed before 17 January 2025, your contract may still contain an inflation-linked or percentage rise, which may still apply.
Your notice letter or email should tell you whether you have a right to exit. Read it carefully and note the deadline.
Step 2: check if you're out of contract
If your minimum term has ended, you can usually leave by giving the required notice. That's often the best time to negotiate. See how to haggle your renewal.
Step 3: trim what you don't use
- List every pack and add-on: sports, movies, kids, multiroom, HD or Ultra HD, landline call plans, broadband boosts.
- Ask yourself which ones you used in the last month.
- Check whether removing a pack has a fee or a notice period during your contract. Some packs can be dropped with 31 days' notice, others are locked in for the contract term.
- Consider whether a monthly streaming subscription you can pause or cancel would do the same job.
Step 4: ask for a better price
Contact your provider, say what you pay, what you've been quoted elsewhere, and ask what they can offer. Keep it factual and polite.
Bundles
If your TV comes in a bundle with broadband or phone, the Ofcom rules on end-of-contract notifications and price-rise information cover the bundle. Leaving one part of a bundle can change the price of the rest, so ask your provider what you'd pay for each option before you cancel anything.
If you think the rules weren't followed
Complain to the provider first. If it isn't resolved within six weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, you can usually take the complaint to the provider's free ADR scheme.
Check your own bill
Enter your TV package price, the rise and your add-ons. Bill Fighter shows what the rise and each add-on cost a year and writes a complaint or negotiation letter.
Free, no sign-up. Uploaded bills are read and deleted straight away.
Related guides
Sources
- Ofcom: Telecoms price rises – what are your rights?
- Ofcom: ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises
- Ofcom: companies must tell customers about their best deals
Last checked 02/11/2026. Rules change, so check the linked pages before you act. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.