How to cancel Sky
By Mike Whitehead | Thursday, June 10th 2021
Ever tried cancelling Sky? Found it too much hassle? Too many barriers put in your way? If you feel it’s time to make a switch, we’ve done all the research on exactly how you go about it with the least amount of fuss.
Sky won't want you to cancel. Nobody does, but Sky especially has been particularly erm... 'enthusiastic' in the past when it comes to keeping your custom. You want out, and you want out easy. That's why you're here. Let's get on with it then.
First, choose a new provider
To see the latest broadband and TV deals available to you at your address you need look no further than our own broadband and TV package comparison tool, which will show you exactly what's available right now, including special offers such as cashback and free gifts.
Choose a broadband and TV deal
If you’re only planning on switching broadband and keeping your Sky TV package, the range of options open to you is pretty vast. BT, Plusnet, Virgin Media and TalkTalk all offer attractive packages, amongst others.
If it’s Sky TV services you’re looking to replace, this is where your options narrow. Virgin Media TV and BT TV are the obvious choices and most comparable in terms of available Sky TV channels. Beyond these, NOW TV offers the best viable alternative, with its one-month rolling contracts. Alternatively, streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime TV have so much on offer you may choose to go without a TV package at all.
Check you're out of contract
Whatever the product – phone, broadband, utilities – most people start to think about making a change when the original contract comes to an end and the monthly bill moves on to a rolling contract (usually with a price increase). All broadband and TV providers are now legally required to inform customers when their contract is about to expire, so you have the option to stay or leave.
Most Sky TV and broadband packages typically come with an initial 18-month contract commitment. Once this term is complete you can cancel your contract with 31 days' notice. If you’re still within your contract term, but are determined to leave Sky, you can – but it will cost you. Sky will charge you early cancellation fees. How much you'll pay depends on what services you have with Sky, when you first took them out, and how long you have left on your contract.
It's worth knowing that you cannot terminate any Sky TV, Sky Q or Multiscreen contracts early; only Sky can do this if you fail to keep up with your payments. If this happens, Sky will apply early repayment fees. If you’re not sure whether your original contract term has ended, you can simply log in to your Sky Account or make a quick call to find out.
Who to call and what to say
If you are just intent on switching broadband, the good news is you’ve no need to contact Sky at all. Your new provider will do this work for you and make all the arrangements with Sky. Once completed, you’ll receive a notification from Sky confirming the switch and any outstanding payments will be due at this point. So, once you’ve chosen your new broadband provider, the hard work for you is done.
The only exception to this is if you opt for either Virgin Media, or a fibre-to-the-premises service, such as Ultrafast or Gigafast from BT, TalkTalk or Vodafone, which do not operate over the widely used Openreach fibre network common to all other providers. Virgin Media operates on its own broadband network rather than Openreach and so you will need to contact Sky directly to cancel your existing package. If you’re just looking to cancel rather than switch, and are on a rolling monthly contract, you need to give Sky 14 days' notice.
To cancel your Sky TV subscription you will need to make direct contact. There are five different ways you can do this –
- Send Sky a message via Facebook Messenger
- Send Sky a text on: 07786 200342. Note this number is purely for text messages only and can’t accept calls.
- Send an email to: [email protected] stating clearly your intention to cancel.
- Call Sky on: 0333 759 2520. Be aware calls to this number may incur a charge and it’s likely to be a fairly lengthy discussion. However, if you’re someone who prefers dealing with a human voice for such matters, this is the option for you.
- Send a letter to: Sky Subscribers Services Ltd, PO Box 43, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7DD
If you decide to cancel in writing or by email, be aware that Sky will still need to contact you directly via phone in order to verify your account information and your intention to cancel. Remember, once you’re on a rolling monthly contract you are obliged to give 31 days' notice of your intention to cancel.
Sky will want to keep you
Sky will never want you to leave. It does not want you to go to another provider. However, as a business it is also going to keep its best treats hidden away until they’re absolutely necessary. Before engaging in any communication with Sky about cancelling your subscription, you need to be clear in your mind about why you’re doing this. Be honest with yourself – is it the price? If it is, do you really want to cancel or are you simply angling for a better deal? If it’s the latter, you’re not alone – we’ve all thought the same at some point.
If you’re open to doing a deal with Sky, you must do your homework on what its competitors are currently offering. The more information you have, the better. Our broadband and TV package comparison tool can help you to do this easily. You also need to decide whether you’re prepared to still walk away if you don’t get offered a better deal.
Frequently asked questions
If I cancel Sky, do I keep the dish?
Yes, unless you specifically request its removal. Unless the sight of it offends you, it makes sense to keep it in case you decide to return to Sky in the future.
Does any of the equipment (with the exception of the dish) need returning?
Only if you’re a Sky Q customer. In this event, Sky will arrange collection of your Sky Q box/boxes free of charge. If you’re a Sky+ HD customer, you can keep the box and use it to watch all the Freeview channels.
Can I still record programmes on the Sky Q box?
Nope, sorry. Sky wants you to come back at some stage but it’s not going to make it that easy. You’ll also lose anything you’ve already got recorded.
Can I leave if Sky raises its prices?
Yes. This is one of the few circumstances in which you can actually cancel your contract during the fixed-term period without being penalised as long as you give notice within 31 days of receiving your notification from Sky.
