Compare the latest deals and best TV packages for Sports.
We take a closer look at what’s on offer for December 2023. Find details on monthly and upfront costs.
Comparing and buying TV best for Sports
There’s lots of choice when it comes to choosing a TV package with Sports in-mind. Sky, Virgin Media, BT, NOW TV and TalkTalk all offer dozens of combinations between them. Once you eliminate your broadband and phone requirements, you are faced with the question of which TV service is best for the kind of sports you want to watch.
As well as being offered direct from Sky – Sky Sports is available from all major providers. But you’ll have to look at the details of each package, as prices vary and you may not receive all of the channels you want to watch. For example, you can only get two Sky Sports channels with BT TV, and BT Sport is not available direct from Sky as part of their packages. You have to sign-up separately direct with BT using your Sky Viewing card number.
How to get Sky Sports and BT Sport in one package
The Virgin Media Full House and VIP bundles are the only packages on the market to include both Sky Sports and BT Sport as standard. You can also personalise a bundle from other providers which include both of these services but as add-on’s, meaning you need to deal with more than one provider.
What can I get from different providers?
Provider | BT | NOW TV | Sky | TalkTalk | Virgin Media |
Channels | 2^ | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Monthly Cost |
£30.00 SD^ £36.00 HD^ | £33.99 HD* | £23.00 HD | £34.00 SD |
£31.75 SD £38.75 HD |
Abbreviations: SD = Standard Definition | HD = High Definition | ^Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Extra |
Provider | BT | NOW TV | Sky | TalkTalk | Virgin Media |
Channels | 4 | – | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Monthly Cost |
Included SD £6.50 HD | – |
£29.99 SD £36.49 HD | £29.99 SD | £57.00~ |
Abbreviations: SD = Standard Definition | HD = High Definition | *Free for BT Broadband customers for 12 months, then £16.75 SD / £21.75 HD | – Not available with NOW TV | Included in Full House bundle |
How does Sky Sports and BT Sports compare?
Looking at the nations favorite sport, Football – both services offer lots of choice. Sky Sports does hold the crown for Premier League games, with 125 games versus 52 from BT Sport. With Sky you can also add-on fan channels such as MUTV and Chelsea TV. For a more in-depth look into football services – please read or Best TV Packages for Football article.
BT Sport as the upper hand for European football, with rights to UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.
How about other Sports such as Golf, Ruby, F1, Cricket and Boxing?
Both Sky Sports and BT Sport share a comprehensive list covering sport the world over. You can check our chart below to see who is showing what. But if you are an avid all-round sports fan, then there’s only one choice – you need to consider subscribing to both services.
BT Sport | Sky Sports | |
Football | Premier League, Scottish Premier League, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, Australian A-League, Bundesliga, FA Cup, FA Trophy, Ligue 1, Serie A, UEFA Europa League, Women’s Super League, Vanarama National League, Liga NOS | Premier League, Scottish Premier League, EFL, Scottish Cup, La Liga, Championship, League 1, League 2, Eredivisie, MLS League, Chinese Super League |
Ruby | Aviva Premiership, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup | Heineken Cup, Champions Cup, RFU, IRB Sevens, Super 15, Super League, Guinness Pro 12 |
Golf | None | European Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Tour, World Golf Championships |
Cricket | Ashes, Big Bash League | Cricket World Cup, County Championship, international cricket, Yorkshire Bank 40 |
Motor Racing | MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, World Rally Championship, IndyCar Series, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, Supercars Championship | Formula One, GP2, GP3, Speedway |
Tennis | WTA | ATP World Tour, French Open |
Boxing & Wrestling | World, European, British and Commonwealth Championship boxing, Red Bull Crashed Ice, UFC | IBF, WBA, WBO, WWE |
USA | NBA, NCAA College Basketball, NCAA College Football, Major League Baseball, American College Sports, Major League Lacrosse | MLS League |
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Conclusion
Sky Sports and BT Sport both offer something different. Making it impossible to recommend a best service. Sure, Sky has three quarters of the Premier League football rights – but what if your teams matches are on BT Sport or vice-versa? It really comes down to what you want to watch. Can you afford to take the plunge and go for both services? Are you better off dipping in-and-out when a must see match is on – either with a NOW TV Pass, or a 1 month contract with another provider? Look at current offers from all providers above, weigh up the costs and get a package that is right for you.
Popular Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long is a Sky Sports contract? »
- How long is a BT Sport contract? »
- How to get BT Sport on Sky? »
- How long does it take to get BT Sport on Sky? »
- Can I watch BT Sport on Sky Multiscreen? »
- Which is best for Premier League? »
- What is the cheapest way to get Sky Sports? »
- What is the cheapest way to get BT Sport? »
How long is a Sky Sports contract?
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