UK pay-television broadcaster BSkyB has moved to defend its position ahead of the impending arrival of telecommunications company BT’s pay-television sports service by slashing its prices for broadband internet.
Sky will provide broadband for free to customers who subscribe to its sports television channels. Both new and existing Sky Sports subscribers will be offered free unlimited internet connections if they switch away from BT’s broadband products.
Those who choose a television package without sports will get the service for half the regular monthly price of £7.50 (€8.8/$11.8). However, the price cuts are for new broadband customers only and expire after 12 months.
BT said last month that it would offer its new BT Sport pay-television service for free to broadband customers as it seeks to compete with Sky. The company’s sports channels will launch in August.