Sky pub prices rise

Pubs and clubs will be paying an average 11 per cent more this year to show Premier League football via satellite. Sky will raise its prices from September 1, after a five-month discount period, when pubs were able to sign up for the 2007/2008 football+ package at last year’s price. It’s the first season when Sky doesn’t have a monopoly – a third of the year’s games will be shown by Setanta Sports on Sky, cable and digital terrestrial.

Tony Payne, of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers’ Associations, said the above-inflation rise was ‘of concern’. Sky and Setanta have signed a ‘pub deal’ so that pubs using satellite can pay for both matches from both broadcasters on one bill. Depending on the pub’s size, the monthly bill for showing Sky Sports can vary from £80 to £2,500.