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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Top Tech: Sky vs Virgin Media as one sport plan cut to 66p a day and £260 TV for £0
Sky and Virgin Media hit top of the sports TV sales this week. Our Top Tech team has rounded up the deals It's good news for footie fans, as the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off in a few days, and for keen savers, there are two rival sales allowing fans to cut their costs. As Virgin Media and Sky go up against each other. Starting with Sky, for only 66p per day, fans can lock into a much cheaper contract ahead of kick-off next week, on Friday, August 15. The provider has dropped the price to £20 per month, which works out to pennies per day when split over a 30-day period. Over at Virgin Media, the retailer is back with its free TV or £150 bill credit deal. Anyone who takes out a Bigger Combo + Sports HD bundle from £54.99 a month will get a 4K Toshiba TV for £0 - and the plan includes Sky Sports. 48p-a-day supplement 'solved tummy issues' for shoppers but deal ends soon Get £90 off Shark deep-cleaner that makes grubby carpets look 'brand new' Two plans currently offering a huge saving for consumers, but what do they both include? Tech Commerce Editor Harriet Morphy-Morris and sports TV writer Jake Hackney have dived into the details. Both the Sky and Virgin Media contracts are set across a 24-month period, so no matter which customers choose, the obligation is the same. Now, onto the price. At first glance Sky's package seems cheaper at £20 a month for the Sky Sports subscription, but there is a small catch. Without an existing Sky package will need to bundle Sky Sports with a TV and Netflix plan which start at £35 for Essential TV and Sky Sports, as Jake highlights for Wales Online. The plan comes with access to nine Sky Sports channels, including Main Event, Premier League, Football, F1, Golf and Tennis. It also includes the newly launched Sky Sports+ channel at no extra cost, which offers live streams of more than 1,000 live EFL games, every Carabao Cup fixture and every match from the men's Rugby Super League, according to the Mirror. This bundle boasts over 100 standard telly channels, including Sky Atlantic, and throws in Netflix and Discovery+ subscriptions for free. For an extra £20, punters can also tack on TNT Sports to their package, a far more wallet-friendly alternative than the £30.99 monthly fee charged by Discovery+ Premium, ensuring they won't miss out on the upcoming season's European clashes. It comes as Virgin Media unveils its competing Summer of Sports sale, offering hefty markdowns across its own Sky Sports packages until 2 September. The discounts kick off with the Bigger Combo bundle + Sports, which delivers over 200 TV channels, eight of which are Sky Sports offerings such as Main Event, Football and F1. The bundle also comes with a speedy 516Mbps fibre broadband connection, all of which has been slashed from £65.99 down to £54.99 – a £264 saving. As we pointed out at the start, there's also the newest free TV deal. This is aimed for shoppers who want both TV and broadband, and especially sports fans. It comes with a choice of 204 TV channels, including a host of sports channels, so customers can watch Premier League football, WSL, F1, Cricket, Golf and Tennis - all in HD. It also comes with M500 fibre broadband, which has an average download speed of 516Mbps. Now onto a catch for both Sky and Virgin customers - bill hikes. Consumers will face at least two bill hikes during their 24-month contract as each provider ups their prices every April. Sky added a 6.2% increase on its TV customers this year, but is yet to reveal next year's adjustment. Meanwhile, Virgin has already announced that the Bigger Combo bundle + Sports will jump to £58.49 from April 2026 and then to £61.99 from April 2027.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Top Tech: Best Premier League TV deals with EE, Sky and Virgin's sports plans
The Premier League is weeks away from making a comeback, so TV writer Jake Hackney has broken down the latest deals that provide access to the biggest games from the top flight, as well as the EFL and Champions League. Football fans are counting down the days to the new Premier League season, and there's not long to wait. We're now just weeks away from the 2025/26 campaign, which kicks off on August 15 with Liverpool vs Bournemouth. The opening weekend also comprises several other must-see fixtures, including Wolves vs Man City, Chelsea vs Crystal Palace and Man United vs Arsenal. All of these games will be aired on Sky Sports, which is the leading broadcaster of the Premier League in the UK. From the new season, Sky is ramping up its top flight coverage from 128 matches to a 'record' minimum of 215, alongside coverage of the EFL, SPFL, WSL and Bundesliga. However, Sky isn't the only brand to offer Sky Sports coverage to its customers, with Virgin Media and EE also offering access with their own bundles. This means fans have several options if they want to enjoy the Premier League, as well as the Champions League and Europa League. Ahead of the new season, we've taken a look at the latest sports deals from Sky, Virgin and EE Sky's discounted sports package is the most affordable in our round-up, costing £35 per month for the flagship Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle. This price is for new customers only and is £336 less than the standard £49 price tag. For this, customers can watch nine Sky Sports channels including Main Event, Premier League, Football, F1, Golf and Tennis. There are also more than 100 regular TV channels such as Sky Atlantic, as well as free Netflix and Discovery+ subscriptions. This is only the basic Discovery+ plan though and doesn't include TNT Sports. This can be added to the package for £20 extra, compared to the £30.99 it costs when signing up directly. The same Sky package is available on a 31-day rolling basis for those who prefer flexibility, but it comes with a higher cost of £43 per month and £20 upfront. The main downside with Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle is that the price will go up to the standard £49 after the 24-month term, but this marks the end of a contract and customers are free to cancel if they wish. Sky is also one of the many providers which increases its monthly prices every April. This year saw a 6.2% rise on its TV packages, and while the firm hasn't yet confirmed the April 2026 changes, we may expect something similar. Virgin Media Virgin Media has quietly launched a Summer of Sports sale, with a selection of TV and broadband packages that come with Sky Sports access now more than £330 off. The sale runs until September 2 and is available on three bundle, including the Bigger Combo bundle + Sports. Reduced from £65.99 to £54.99 – a £264 drop – this includes more than 200 TV channels, with eight from Sky Sports such as Main Event, Football and F1. It also provides 516Mbps fibre broadband and is the 'lowest ever monthly price' for this plan. Also at a record low is the Biggest Combo bundle, which offers the biggest discount of £336. Down from £78.99 to £64.99, this offers the same TV and Sky Sports channels and 516Mbps broadband, but also throws in Sky Cinema and a free Netflix subscription. Last up is Virgin's 'best value' package, the Mega Volt bundle. Virgin's most pricey plan is now £120 off as it's dropped from £84.99 to £79.99, but it comes with a lot. With this, customers can enjoy more than 230 TV channels including Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD, plus Netflix, 1,130Mbps broadband and an O2 SIM card with unlimited data, minutes and texts. Virgin also offers a discounted TNT Sports add-on for £18, cheaper than the £30.99 it costs to join direct. Similarly to Sky, a downside of the 24-month plans is that they will increase at least twice during the minimum term. For example, Virgin has already confirmed the Bigger Combo bundle + Sports will rise to £58.49 from April 2026 and £61.99 from April 2027. EE Like Virgin, EE's packages include a triple whammy of TV, sports channels and fibre broadband, but there are some major differences. The brand offers two sports packages, 'Sport' and 'Big Sport'. EE Sport comes with all four TNT Sports channels through Discovery+ Premium, so members can enjoy select games from the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League. It also comes with EE's entry-level Full Fibre 74 Essentials broadband at a total monthly cost of £52.99. However, there's no Sky Sports channels included here. For that, customers must opt for Big Sport, which includes full Sky Sports access through a NOW Sports subscription, on top of TNT Sports and Discovery+ Premium and Full Fibre 74. This bumper bundle comes in at a total cost of £77.99 per month, the most expensive in our round-up. While customers get a lot for their money, it works out more than Virgin 's comparable plan and will eventually increase to £87.99 per month after the April 2027 price rise. However, EE offers customers the flexibility of switching packages at any time during their subscription. This means that while the Premier League takes a break each summer, members could move over to the EE Entertainment bundle to enjoy Sky Cinema until the football returns. The Verdict There's no 'best' deal in this round-up, it ultimately boils down to needs and budget. Those looking for Sky Sports alongside superfast broadband may want to consider Virgin's bundles, while those simply wanting to enjoy the new football season could opt for Sky's TV and sport package. However, those torn between Virgin's and EE's options will want to take a close look at the price and what's included, as there is a clear winner among the two. Virgin's Bigger Combo bundle + Sports with 516Mbps broadband and TNT Sports bolted on as an extra comes to £72.99 per month. While EE's Big Sport plan offers the same TNT channels, it doesn't include regular TV and also offers slower broadband, but for £5 more each month. This comes to £120 over the life of the plan – a big difference considering customers get less for their money. Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle is the cheapest, but that's because it's something of a no frills plan. That's because it includes around half as many channels as Virgin's TV packages and there's no broadband included, but for shoppers who are happy with their current internet setup and just want to kick back and enjoy the football, this could be the ideal choice.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a TV writer and found a way to get Netflix and Sky TV for 50p per day'
Stranger Things season five is slowly but surely edging closer and TV writer Jake Hackney has found a way to secure a Netflix and Sky TV subscription for 50p per day ahead of its launch. It's been a big week for Netflix as the streamer finally dropped the first trailer for Stranger Things season five. On Wednesday, exactly nine years and one day after the sci-fi series first aired, Netflix gave fans their first-look at its final chapter. The footage shows Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the gang returning for 'one last adventure', each united by a single goal: to find and kill Vecna. Season five is set to premiere in three parts, with volume one (episodes one to four) on November 27, followed by volume two (episodes five to seven) on Boxing Day, and the finale on New Year's Day. It feels like an age since season four, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who's felt their interest waning in the interim. However, after seeing the new trailer this week I'm happy to say Netflix has well and truly pulled me back in. It's fair to say the hype around the new season is building, and it's sure to keep going throughout the rest of the year. With that, many fans are likely scrambling for different ways to find a cheap Netflix subscription. Earlier this year, the streamer raised its subscription fees yet again, with its entry-level Standard with Ads tier now costing £5.99 per month. However, as a TV and tech writer, it's my job to find ways to watch all the latest series while keeping costs down, and I know how to get Netflix and Sky TV for 50p per day. The deal comes directly from Sky, which includes a free Netflix subscription with TV packages like the Essential TV bundle. For £15 per month, this provides free Netflix access, more than 100 channels including Sky Atlantic and a Discovery+ subscription. When breaking it down, this works out at 50p per day over a 30-day period. The bundle comes on a 24-month term, meaning those signing up can secure a Netflix subscription for two years. It typically comes with Netflix Standard with Adverts, which usually costs £5.99 when joining direct, meaning members essentially pay £9.01 for 100 TV channels and Discovery+. There is the option to upgrade to Netflix Standard or Premium for those who prefer ad-free viewing, priced at an extra £6 or £11 respectively. Sky also lets those with an existing subscription keep the same account, so they don't pay twice. Sky isn't the only provider to tempt customers with free Netflix access, as Virgin Media also includes a free subscription with its own TV packages. However, although they include much more, they also come with a higher price tag. The cheapest package that comes with Netflix is the £64.99 Biggest Combo bundle; usually priced at £78.99, this also comes with more than 200 TV channels, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and 516Mbps fibre broadband. However, one downside to both Sky and Virgin's plans is that they both increase their prices every April in an inflation-linked rise. This means the price paid is likely to go up twice in the next 24 months. Sky is yet to confirm how much its prices will go up in April 2026, but this year it introduced a 6.2% rise, so we may see something similar next year. Virgin has already set out its planned changes, with the £64.99 plan rising to £68.49 from April 2026. Despite this, both Sky and Virgin customers can enjoy every season of Stranger Things, as well as Squid Game, Bridgerton and much, much more.
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I watch the Club World Cup for free on DAZN'
The Mirror's TV writer Jake Hackney joined DAZN to watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free, but the streaming platform's other features left him impressed The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off earlier this month, so the Mirror's TV writer Jake Hackney set up a free DAZN account to see what all the hype is about. Like many Brits, Jake always linked DAZN with boxing, but as that's never been his sport, he was yet to truly delve into the platform. DAZN is now the sole global broadcaster of all 63 matches in the Club World Cup and is showing every game for free. FIFA has really pulled out all the stops with the competition, giving it a makeover with a new format featuring 32 of the world's top clubs. Manchester City and Chelsea are flying the flag for the Premier League, along with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Boca Juniors. The tournament runs until the final on July 13, and football fans can sign up for a free DAZN account to watch every match. As Jake previously told the Mirror, he found it odd not watching football on the BBC or Sky Sports, but given the quality of content and amount of extras available on DAZN, he believes the streaming platform will become more associated with football in the future. Jake opted for the free account, but there's also the option to upgrade to DAZN's Premium plan from £9.99. This includes every Club World Cup match in HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, plus highlights, replays, fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. But even with a free account, there's plenty of football content to keep fans entertained in the gap between the Premier League and EFL seasons. What struck Jake was the sheer volume of content available beyond the live matches, with a plethora of features, shows and compilations readily accessible on the Club World Cup homepage. Interviews with big names such as Harry Kane and Pep Guardiola are featured, along with DAZN's 'Icons' series, which offers an in-depth look at each team and the 12 USA host cities. Since signing up to DAZN, Jake has found himself engrossed in the amount of documentaries focusing on football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona and Brazilian Ronaldo. There's a treasure trove of vintage footage showcasing all the goals scored by specific teams at previous FIFA World Cups, featuring legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Raúl and Didier Drogba. In short, there's a feast of content to delve into on DAZN. It's also straightforward to keep up with the latest competition, with every forthcoming fixture displayed on the Club World Cup homepage complete with dates and kick-off times, as well as the option to view the group brackets and tables, making it simple to stay updated with the current standings. One can track their favourite teams in the competition to receive a push notification before their games, with Jake following Chelsea and Man City. DAZN sends him reminders about each of their fixtures, though with some kicking off in the early hours, he'll opt to watch the DAZN highlights instead. For those who aren't keen on adding another subscription to their list, DAZN has sublicensed a selection of matches to Channel 5, meaning 23 games will be shown on both DAZN and Channel 5. This could be a good alternative for football fans who aren't as tech-savvy or don't mind missing out on some games. Of course, there's always the traditional Sky Sports package that costs £35 per month on a 24-month contract, in addition to essential Sky TV. This includes nine dedicated channels, covering the Premier League, Football, Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA, Netball and much more, although the length of the contract might be a drawback for some. DAZN boasts an impressive lineup of pundits for its Club World Cup coverage, including none other than Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Other big names include John Obi Mikel and Sami Khedira, with Conor McNamara, Andros Townsend, Brad Friedel, Rob Green among the commentators, offering a refreshing change from the usual voices on Sky or TNT Sports. Jake has been using DAZN on both his Samsung smart TV and iPhone 13 and it's performed largely well. There have been moments where it's been slightly slow to respond and there's been a bit of lag, but once a live game or documentary has loaded up, he has encountered no major problems.
Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I watched the Club World Cup on DAZN and the extras won me over'
The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off on Saturday so our TV writer Jake Hackney registered for a free DAZN account to catch all the action, here's what he made of the streamer. The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off over the weekend so I bagged myself a free DAZN account to see what all the fuss is about. Like many Brits, I've always associated DAZN with boxing, but as that's never been my sport I'm yet to truly explore the platform. DAZN is now the exclusive global broadcaster of all 63 fixtures in the Club World Cup and is airing every game for free, which is definitely more my bag. FIFA has really gone all out with this competition, revamping it with a new format featuring 32 of the best clubs from around the world. There's Manchester City and Chelsea representing the Premier League, plus the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Boca Juniors. The competition runs through to the final on July 13, and fans can register for a free DAZN account to watch every fixture. It certainly feels strange not watching football on the BBC or Sky Sports, but considering the quality of content and amount of extras on offer, I wouldn't be surprised if DAZN becomes more synonymous with football in the coming years. I opted for the free account, but there's also the option to upgrade to DAZN's Premium plan from £9.99. This includes every Club World Cup game in HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, plus highlights, replays, fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. But even with a free account, there's plenty of football content to keep fans entertained in the lull between the Premier League and EFL seasons. Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN Product Description What struck me was how much there is to watch besides the live games, with countless features, shows and compilations right there on the Club World Cup homepage. There's interviews with some of the big names taking part including Harry Kane and Pep Guardiola, as well as DAZN's 'Icons' series, which takes a closer look at each team and the 12 USA host cities. I've also been enjoying the plethora of documentaries centred around greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona and Brazilian Ronaldo. There's a host of vintage footage featuring all the goals scored by certain teams at previous FIFA World Cups, starring legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Raúl and Didier Drogba. In short, there's plenty to tuck into. But it's easy to follow the latest competition too, with every upcoming fixture displayed on the Club World Cup homepage complete with dates and kick-off times, as well as the option to display the group brackets and tables, making it easy to keep up to date with the current standings. You can follow your favourite teams in the competition to receive a push notification before their games, so I followed Chelsea and Man City. DAZN now reminds me about each of their fixtures just in case I forget – though as some kick off in the early hours, I think I'll wait for their DAZN highlights. For those who don't want to sign up for another subscription, DAZN has also sublicensed select fixtures to Channel 5, meaning 23 games will be broadcast on both DAZN and 5. This may be a good option for less tech-savvy football fans who are not bothered about every game. Of course, there's also a classic Sky Sports which can be purchased for £35 a month for a 24-month contract alongside essential Sky TV. This includes nine dedicated channels, including the Premier League, Football, Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA, Netball and much more, though the length of contract may be a downside for some. DAZN boasts some huge names in its Club World Cup punditry lineup, including none other than Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Other stars include John Obi Mikel and Sami Khedira, with Conor McNamara, Andros Townsend, Brad Friedel, Rob Green among the commentators, which makes a nice change from the usual voices on Sky or TNT Sports. I've been using DAZN on both my Samsung smart TV and iPhone 13 and it's performed largely ok. There have been times where it's been slightly slow to respond and there's been a bit of lag, but once a piece of content like a live game or documentary has loaded up I've experienced no major issues.
