Previously free sports package will automatically cost broadband users £5 a month, unless they register to say otherwise

BT phone and broadband customers who signed up for the “free” sports package over the past two years will soon find themselves paying £5 a month for the service – unless they opt out.

The telecoms giant is launching a revamped sport channel in August, and while the service will be free to BT’s television customers broadband-only users will be required to pay.

Controversially, the company is automatically applying the charge to customers’ bills unless they contact it within 30 days of receiving the letter. Many may not notice receiving it or read it properly, and find themselves charged.

Money reader Valerie Penrose, who lives in Cambridgeshire, contacted us this week to ask whether BT’s stance contravenes payments regulations. She says she spent “far too long” trying to opt out on the BT website, and after failing was forced to call the company to do so. She describes the BT bill as “incredibly confusing”, featuring four payments and credits for BT Sport alone.

“I really feel that customers should have to opt in rather than be automatically charged,” she told us.

The company says customers can drop down to BT Sport Lite without penalty “for at least 30 days”. “Additionally, [they] can cancel their BT Sport Pack at any time or move to free BT Sport Lite by giving 30 days’ notice. If a customer misses our letter or email, and they call us when they receive their first bill, we will waive the charge and they can choose the option they’d like,” it says.

BT Sport has exclusive rights to live Champions League and Europa League football after spending £897m on a three-year deal starting in 2015/16.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jul/25/bt-opt-out-sports-package-broadband-users