BT Sport customers can opt out of pay service, says Ofcom

BT customers who have been switched over to a paid BT Sport package are now able to exit the deal if they want, thanks to an intervention by UK broadcast regulator Ofcom.

The UK operator previously offered BT Sport channel for free to BT broadband customers as part of a minimum term agreement. However, after changing its offering from August 1, BT’s broadband-only users now have to pay £5 (€7) each month for the BT Sport Pack.

BT wrote to customers in June and July telling them the charge would be added to their bills unless they contacted BT by 31 July to downgrade to a new BT Sport Lite package, which remains free.

However, some customers complained to Ofcom that, unless they downgraded, they were being charged an extra cost that they had not previously agreed.

“Ofcom’s concerns in this matter related to the fairness of the terms in BT’s consumer contracts – the small print – that it relied upon to make changes to BT Sport and its price,” said Ofcom in a statement.

The regulator has now confirmed with BT that customers who complain about the £5 charge within a month of receiving their first increased bill will be offered “a ‘no quibble’ refund”, and will have the opportunity to downgrade to BT Sport Lite or cancel their BT Sport service.

From the beginning of this month, BT’s Sport Pack now includes the existing three BT Sport channels as well as a new channel, BT Sport Europe. The alternative BT Sport Lite package only includes the BT Sport 1 channel.

The BT Sport Pack remains free for BT TV customers that sign up to a further minimum term agreement.