Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert warns Sky TV customers to check bills NOW
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SKY customers are being urged to check their bills to make sure they are not paying more than they need to.
The advice comes after an investigation into the firms' practices by the telecoms watchdog.
Martin Lewis' has urged Sky customers to check their bills, after Ofcom said the phone firm did not send the correct alerts to customers.
Sky was slammed by the regulator for not warning customers that they've reached the end of their contract.
Customers should be alerted up to 40 days before their deal ends.
When contracts expire, customers are typically moved on to a standard deal - these are usually more expensive.
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The alerts are designed to warn customers that they are nearing the end of their contract and should start looking for a new deal, to avoid remaining on a pricier one and paying more than they need to.
After an investigation, Ofcom said: "We consider end-of-contract notifications to be an important consumer protection tool to prompt consumers to shop around for the best deal for their needs."
Rules were tightened up in 2020, when Ofcom introduced rules requiring phone, broadband and pay-TV providers to warn customers when their current contract is ending.
It's suggested that firms could notify customers of the change by text, letter or email.
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Ofcom's investigation into Sky closed on August 18, with the watchdog instructing the firm that it needs to start notifying its customers about their contract end dates within months.
Ofcom highlights the importance of these end of tariff notifications and said that: "We found that some customers were able to save an average of more than £110 a year when taking out a new contract in response to an alert."
Sky customers should check their bills to see if they are out of contract, and they could get better deal.
Those on TV-only packages have not been sent alerts,
A Sky spokesperson previously told The Sun: “We’re committed to offering our customers the best possible service across all our products.
"When customers come to the end of their contract with us, we proactively get in touch with them to let them know their options.
"We also offer an extensive range of options to help them manage their Sky services. We do not believe our pay-TV service is an ECS [Ofcom regulated service] and will consider our next steps.”
How to grab the best TV deal
If your contract has expired you'll likely be able to find a cheaper deal elsewhere.
It can pay to start shopping around before your contract is up to get an idea of what's on offer.
But don't just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you're currently paying.
Take a look at what other firms are offering and assess what channels you watch the most.
Use comparison websites, such as and , to compare TV packages.
If you're happy with your current provider, you may be able to haggle on price to save some money.
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Firms value customer loyalty so if you're reaching the end of your contract tell them you're planning to move elsewhere.
Do your research so you know what comparable deals are available with other providers - and always remember to be polite.