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Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky Sports confirms Premier League changes ahead of final games
Sky Sports has made some big changes to its broadcast schedule for the 2025/26 Premier League season The 2024/25 Premier League season is almost at its end, but Sky Sports is already looking ahead to next season. Ahead of the final day on Sunday (May 25), the broadcaster has announced some major changes to its coverage of the 2025/26 campaign. Sky has confirmed it will broadcast a 'record minimum' of 215 Premier League matches every season from 2025/26. This will see Sky's coverage increase from 128 Premier League matches to at least 215, which it says is more than any other broadcaster. Ahead of the new season kicking off on August 16, Sky is offering a discounted sports package that includes more than 1,400 live games across the Premier League and EFL. The Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle now costs £35 per month, saving £192 from the standard £43 rate. This provides access to all of Sky Sports' 215 matches, including more than 140 at weekends, evening matches on Fridays and Mondays and three midweek rounds. Sky has also confirmed it will broadcast all 10 Premier League matches on the final day of each season for the first time. Fans will also be able to choose from multiple live matches on a number of weekends in the Sunday 2pm kick-off slot, as well as 'most of' the festive season fixtures. Boxing Day Premier League football will return to Sky Sports this year after Amazon's Prime Video ended its six-year run of coverage last Christmas. It comes after Sky signed a new four-year deal for the league's TV rights in 2023. Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky said: 'This is a fantastic result for Sky customers, who will see a significant increase in the number of matches from the most iconic league in the world. Sky is the undisputed home for sport fans in the UK.' Virgin Media customers will also have access to Sky's Premier League coverage with select packages. Virgin provides eight Sky Sports channels with its Bigger Combo bundle + Sports, which is more expensive than Sky at £65.99 per month but also includes 362Mbps broadband and more than 200 TV channels. Sky announced it had agreed a new rights deal in December 2023, with fans flocking to social media to congratulate the broadcaster. Writing on X, one said: 'Really looking forward to this. Congratulations to Sky Sports on this massive deal.' Another said: 'Here's to 215 epic games.' Not everyone is happy about the changes though, as this fan said: 'And yet that's still about 55% of all Premier League games. People in the UK pay fortunes to watch half of a product produced in the UK, yet people abroad can watch 100% for a fraction of the price.' But this fan disagreed, saying: 'Next season's MVPs might just be the broadcasters.' The Premier League fixtures for the 2025/26 season are due to be released at 9am on June 18. Liverpool will be defending their title after securing the top spot for the 20th time, with Leeds United and Burnley joining the fray having been promoted from the Championship. Sheffield United and Sunderland will meet on May 24 in the Championship play-off final, with the winner booking their place in the Premier League.
Daily Record
11-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky's TV and broadband deal is now cheaper than ever - but it won't be around forever
The TV and broadband giant has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Full Fibre 300 broadband package in its spring sale, and it comes with a number of benefits Sky has made a significant change to one of its flagship TV and broadband packages, positioning it as a direct rival to Virgin Media and BT. As part of its spring sale, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Full Fibre 300 broadband package to a record low of £35 per month, while simultaneously doubling the broadband speed from 150Mbps to 300Mbps. Typically, Sky's Full Fibre 300 is priced at £29 per month without any TV access. However, this Essential TV bundle includes over 100 channels such as Sky Atlantic – home to The Last of Us and The White Lotus – along with complimentary Netflix and Discovery+ subscriptions. It also features free-to-air channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and many others. This offer competes with Virgin's Bigger Combo bundle, which provides over 200 channels and 362Mbps fibre broadband for £34.99. Although Virgin's deal is marginally cheaper by a penny, offers around 60Mbps faster speed than Sky, and includes over 100 additional channels, there are two main selling points of the Sky deal that Virgin can't match. Virgin's proposal does not encompass Sky Atlantic or Netflix, which could be a deal-breaker for those keen to catch popular series like The Last of Us or the eagerly awaited return of Squid Game and Stranger Things. Another rival is BT and EE's new 'three months free' offer, which does include Sky Atlantic and Netflix with a NOW Entertainment pass, but ultimately costs over £350 extra over the contract term once it reverts to the standard £56.99 rate, reports Devon Live. Sky is providing its customers the chance to upgrade to the new Ultimate TV plan, which includes over 35 additional channels such as Sky Showcase, Sky Crime, Sky Documentaries and Sky Comedy, for an extra £4 per month. Customers also have the option to add Sky Cinema and Sky Sports to their package for an additional £10 and £20 respectively. These services can be accessed through Sky Stream, the company's latest device that delivers TV and streaming services via WiFi, eliminating the need for a traditional satellite dish. New customers can take advantage of Sky's One Touch Switch scheme, which means they don't have to contact their current broadband provider to switch. Sky has streamlined the process for customers by directly contacting the existing provider to manage the switch. However, it's worth noting that Sky's TV and broadband plans are contracted for 24 months, and the price 'may change' during this period. Sky recently disclosed a steep 6.2 percent hike in its TV and broadband packages, hinting at another possible surge in prices come April 2026. Nevertheless, Sky sets itself apart by offering subscribers the liberty to cancel their agreements prematurely in the face of any looming cost increases. The introduction of Sky Stream has been hailed as revolutionary by numerous users on Trustpilot. One particularly glowing review accentuates how effortless the setup process is, along with its user-friendly attributes. Tech deal of the week Looking to bag a pair of wireless headphones, but don't want to pay out for Apple's AirPods? Then look no further than Amazon, as the online giant has a selection of budget-friendly options that are said to deliver on quality. One such pair are the Donerton Wireless Earbuds. Priced at just £18.99, these earbuds use 2025 Bluetooth 5.4 to seamlessly connect to any device, while the 13mm speakers deliver "crystal clear" and "vivid" sound quality that is said to be on par with pricier brands. Using ENC noise cancellation technology and featuring four built-in microphones, they are ideal for taking phone calls when out and about, alongside listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks without interruption. The ergonomic design is suitable for everyone, with three silicone shaped tips available to provide a secure and long-lasting fit. As they are IP7 waterproof, they are prevented from any damage caused by sweat and raindrops. Meanwhile, the wireless charging case displays the remaining power of each earbud using dual LED technology and can provide up to 40-hours of playback, with a single fast 1.5-hour charge offering up to eight hours alone. Averaging a 4.4 rating on Amazon based on over 18,000 reviews, they have been compared to Apple and Samsung by tech fans who have praised them as "far superior" and "brilliant." One such review read: "These EarPods are brilliant ! The sound is great & everything you would expect from apple but so much cheaper. I've had apple EarPods from apple, these are on par. Highly recommended." Purchase the Donerton Wireless Earbuds on Amazon for £18.99 here. They said: " Sky Stream is a game changer. Switched a few weeks back and it's the best decision I've ever made. Installation takes care of itself, the remote even auto tunes itself to the TV. The best part is the ability to have a single charge for all your streaming subscriptions." However, not everyone is brimming with praise. One disaffected client shared their aggravating ordeal with Sky's customer service, voicing: "I wasn't happy with the service provided by Sky, phoned up to change my deal and was passed around like a parcel. "Eventually, I got to speak to someone who knew what they were doing. I am happy my issue was finally resolved but took a lot of work." Brand loyalty remains strong, as another user recounts their journey across various providers while maintaining that Sky tops them all: "I've been with lots of companies to get my TV and internet but the best service I have received out of them all is Sky. We did change to other companies because of the price but always go back to Sky." Get Sky's deal for £35 a month here.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Giffgaff giving 500 Brits a free £100 to trial brand new broadband for £10 per month
Giffgaff - more commonly known as a mobile network provider - is now launching their brand new home broadband for the first time and are searching for Brits who are willing to trial it for 12 months. Giving away a £100 bonus to participants, the trial phase is open to 500 customers. The full fibre service will boast speeds of up to 500Mbps, with trial participants only having to pay £10 a month for a year. The O2-owned mobile network has said that customers will receive the £100 bonus in two halves - the first £50 after installation and the other £50 one month later. If you are interested in taking part in this Giffgaff trial, customers can register their interest on the Giffgaff website . If chosen, the trial testers will be notified accordingly to be provided with further details, reports Wales Online . READ MORE: Cracking £25 Samsung deal on S24 offers free Galaxy Watch worth £289 'while stocks last' READ MORE: What we know about M&S cyber attacks so far as incident linked to teen hackers Chief executive of Giffgaff Ash Schofield, revealed in a community update: "Broadband is a natural evolution for us as a connectivity brand. "We know people are frustrated with their current broadband offering so we're committed to bringing together the latest tech, with the feedback of our members to build something better. We're looking for up to 500 heroes to try our full fibre broadband. We'll even reward them for sharing their feedback on the experience with us." He added: "This is a big moment for all of us and we have so much to learn and discover together. If you're not a trialist, don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to be a part of the journey with us." This relatively cheap broadband deal from Giffgaff comes as rival providers have been reducing their prices in order to entice prospective customers during the spring sales. For example, until May 14, Sky has cut its 300Mbps broadband with TV and Netflix to its "lowest ever price". For £35 per month, shoppers will get over 100 TV channels and free access to Netflix . Alternatively, new customers can buy the broadband without the TV package for £28 a month. This deal is matched by Virgin Media with their Bigger Combo bundle . For £34.99 a month, new users can access more than 200 TV channels and receive broadband speeds of 132Mbps. Despite these cracking deals, neither match up to the Giffgaff £10 per month trial , which after the £100 bonus will effectively only cost customers £20 for 12 months' access. Speaking to ISPreview, a spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 broke the news of Giffgaff's move into the broadband market. They said: "The planned launch of a Giffgaff broadband service mirrors the successful approach we've taken with the brand on the mobile side. "It allows us to offer a complete range of broadband and mobile services to a wider mix of different customers and aligns with our broader commercial strategy with three of the best brands in the country. Giffgaff broadband is currently in a trial phase, leveraging our wholesale capabilities and recruiting people to test and shape the service, so we'll share more information later in the year." Giffgaff as a mobile provider has received many positive reviews from their loyal customers, with the same is to be expected once their first broadband venture begins. Garnering over 17,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, one happy shopper said: "So reliable and trustworthy. Any issues are dealt with quickly, and they often give rewards to thank you for staying with them. I just trust them, which is very rare with so many services nowadays. I can't imagine ever going anywhere else." Another added: "Giffgaff are the best. I find Giffgaff is great value for money, and gives a really good service." While a third wrote: "It's a few months now since I have switch from one of the main line providers to Giffgaff. I have found their service to be excellent. Their communications are not excessive. I am completely satisfied with the change." However, one less-impressed customer said: "Poor service if you have an issue, but you get what you pay for, I guess." If you want to put your name forward to trial Giffgaff's brand new broadband, you can click HERE.
North Wales Live
29-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Giffgaff will give Brits £100 to trial its first-ever broadband for £10 a month
Giffgaff is getting ready to launch its first-ever home broadband offering and is seeking Brits to trial it for a year. The O2-owned mobile network is embarking on a trial phase available to 500 customers and is giving away a £100 bonus to participants. The service will boast impressive speeds of up to 500Mbps, with those in the trial paying £10 per month for 12 months. They will also receive the £100 bonus delivered in two halves: the initial £50 upon installation and another £50 one month thereafter. Prospective testers can register their interest on the Giffgaff website and those chosen will be notified accordingly to provide them with further details, reports the Mirror. Ash Schofield, the chief executive of Giffgaff, shared in a community update: "Broadband is a natural evolution for us as a connectivity brand. "We know people are frustrated with their current broadband offering so we're committed to bringing together the latest tech, with the feedback of our members to build something better. We're looking for up to 500 heroes to try our full fibre broadband. We'll even reward them for sharing their feedback on the experience with us." He added: "This is a big moment for all of us and we have so much to learn and discover together. If you're not a trialist, don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to be a part of the journey with us." Giffgaff's broadband comes as rival providers reduce their prices to tempt new customers in spring sales. One such brand is Sky, which has cut its 300Mbps broadband with TV and Netflix to its 'lowest ever price' until May 14. For £35 per month, this comes with more than 100 TV channels and free Netflix, while the broadband is available without TV access for £28. This rivals Virgin Media's Bigger Combo bundle, which delivers more than 200 TV channels and broadband speeds of 132Mbps for £34.99. However, neither provider can beat the £10 per month GiffGaff trial, which will effectively cost customers a total of £20 for 12 months' access after receipt of the £100 bonus. A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2, speaking to ISPreview, which initially broke the news of Giffgaff's venture into the broadband market, said: "The planned launch of a Giffgaff broadband service mirrors the successful approach we've taken with the brand on the mobile side. "It allows us to offer a complete range of broadband and mobile services to a wider mix of different customers and aligns with our broader commercial strategy with three of the best brands in the country. Giffgaff broadband is currently in a trial phase, leveraging our wholesale capabilities and recruiting people to test and shape the service, so we'll share more information later in the year." While GiffGaff 's broadband is yet to launch, the brand has received a raft of positive reviews from its mobile customers. GiffGaff has received more than 17,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, where one review says: "So reliable and trustworthy. Any issues are dealt with quickly, and they often give rewards to thank you for staying with them. I just trust them, which is very rare with so many services nowadays. I can't imagine ever going anywhere else." Another said: "Giffgaff are the best. I find giffgaff is great value for money, and gives a really good service." A third said: "It's a few months now since I have switch from one of the main line providers to Giffgaff. I have found their service to be excellent. Their communications are not excessive. I am completely satisfied with the change." However, one less-impressed customer said: "Poor service if you have an issue, but you get what you pay for, I guess."
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Giffgaff will give Brits £100 to trial its first-ever broadband for £10 a month
Giffgaff will give Brits £100 to trial its first-ever broadband for £10 a month Giffgaff is moving into the broadband market for the first time and is looking for 500 customers to trial its new full fibre service, which has speeds of 500Mpbs Man using modern wi-fi router on light table in room (Image: Getty ) Giffgaff is getting ready to launch its first-ever home broadband offering and is seeking Brits to trial it for a year. The O2-owned mobile network is embarking on a trial phase available to 500 customers and is giving away a £100 bonus to participants. The service will boast impressive speeds of up to 500Mbps, with those in the trial paying £10 per month for 12 months. They will also receive the £100 bonus delivered in two halves: the initial £50 upon installation and another £50 one month thereafter. Prospective testers can register their interest on the Giffgaff website and those chosen will be notified accordingly to provide them with further details, reports the Mirror. Ash Schofield, the chief executive of Giffgaff, shared in a community update: "Broadband is a natural evolution for us as a connectivity brand. "We know people are frustrated with their current broadband offering so we're committed to bringing together the latest tech, with the feedback of our members to build something better. We're looking for up to 500 heroes to try our full fibre broadband. We'll even reward them for sharing their feedback on the experience with us." He added: "This is a big moment for all of us and we have so much to learn and discover together. If you're not a trialist, don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to be a part of the journey with us." GiffGaff is part of the O2 family and is taking its first steps into the broadband market (Image: Giffgaff and Apple ) Giffgaff's broadband comes as rival providers reduce their prices to tempt new customers in spring sales. One such brand is Sky, which has cut its 300Mbps broadband with TV and Netflix to its 'lowest ever price' until May 14. For £35 per month, this comes with more than 100 TV channels and free Netflix, while the broadband is available without TV access for £28. This rivals Virgin Media's Bigger Combo bundle, which delivers more than 200 TV channels and broadband speeds of 132Mbps for £34.99. However, neither provider can beat the £10 per month GiffGaff trial, which will effectively cost customers a total of £20 for 12 months' access after receipt of the £100 bonus. A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2, speaking to ISPreview, which initially broke the news of Giffgaff's venture into the broadband market, said: "The planned launch of a Giffgaff broadband service mirrors the successful approach we've taken with the brand on the mobile side. "It allows us to offer a complete range of broadband and mobile services to a wider mix of different customers and aligns with our broader commercial strategy with three of the best brands in the country. Giffgaff broadband is currently in a trial phase, leveraging our wholesale capabilities and recruiting people to test and shape the service, so we'll share more information later in the year." While GiffGaff's broadband is yet to launch, the brand has received a raft of positive reviews from its mobile customers. GiffGaff has received more than 17,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, where one review says: "So reliable and trustworthy. Any issues are dealt with quickly, and they often give rewards to thank you for staying with them. I just trust them, which is very rare with so many services nowadays. I can't imagine ever going anywhere else." Article continues below Another said: "Giffgaff are the best. I find giffgaff is great value for money, and gives a really good service." A third said: "It's a few months now since I have switch from one of the main line providers to Giffgaff. I have found their service to be excellent. Their communications are not excessive. I am completely satisfied with the change." However, one less-impressed customer said: "Poor service if you have an issue, but you get what you pay for, I guess."
