BT Sport is finally giving frustrated customers a month's worth of credit after live sport was suspended due to coronavirus.
Until now, the telecoms provider, which has the rights to 52 Premier League football games this season, has refused to pause packages or offer customers refunds.
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It's led to complaints from furious customers on social media after Sky Sports allowed its viewers to pause payments until live action resumes while also allowing them to continue watching.
But rather than allow users to pause subscriptions, BT says it will now instead offer users a refund of one month's subscription – and you'll continue to be able to watch your package.
It has already given all broadband customers unlimited home internet usage to help families stay connected during the coronavirus epidemic.
All users have to do is go online to the BT website where you'll be offered three options at the click of a button.
Can I pause my sports package or get a refund?
HERE'S what the major telecoms firms say about pausing or refunding sports packages:
BT SportYou can get a credit for one month's BT Sport or donate this to the NHS. Just visit the BT website and select your option.
Sky
You can pause Sky Sports by pressing the "Pause Now" button on the Sky website. Alternatively, call 0800 151 2747, say "cancel Sky Sports" and it will ask if you wish to pause your Sky Sports subscription. You'll still be able to watch channels in the meantime and your package will be automatically reinstated when live sports is back.
Sky customers do have the option to take out BT Sport but until now these users haven't been able to pause their contracts. We've asked for an update.
TalkTalk
You can pause Sky Sports packages by clicking on the link in the email you will have received. You need to do this by March 30. You'll still be able to watch Sky Sports even if you cancel and your package will automatically restart. You can also turn off a "Sky Sports Boost" yourself although you will need to restart this yourself if you do.
TalkTalk customers can access BT Sport through their TalkTalk TV Box but they take out the subscription and pay BT directly. This means they haven't been able to pause subscriptions until now as BT wasn't allowing it. We've asked for an update.
Virgin Media
You can pause a BT Sport or Sky Sports subscription by entering your account details on an online form on the Virgin Media website. You'll still be able to watch channels in the meantime and your package will be automatically reinstated when live sports is back.
You’ll just need your BT account number to hand.
The first is option is one month's BT Sport credit, which essentially means you'll get the price of one month's BT Sport deducted from your next bill.
Where your BT Sport is bundled with other items, you'll just get the BT Sport element refunded.
BT Sport prices vary depending on how you take the channel but it can cost up to £59.99 bundled in with Sky and fibre broadband.
A second option is to donate the cost of one month's worth of BT Sport to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.
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Lastly, you can opt to pay £10 a month for BT's Entertainment TV package but you'll get three month's worth of BT Sport thrown in.
This is a 24-month contract though so you won't be able to cancel this early without paying any early exit fees.
Virgin Media with customers with BT Sport can, however, opt to pause their subscription instead.
We've asked Sky and TalkTalk if their customers with BT Sport can also do the same.
A BT spokesperson said: “We would like to thank BT Sport customers for bearing with us through these challenging times.
"Our focus has been on maintaining the quality and resilience of our broadband, landline and mobile networks for the nation and our customer focus has been with the elderly and most vulnerable.
"However, we recognise there is much uncertainty which remains out of our control, and as such BT Sport customers can now go to www.bt.com/sportsupport to get a bill credit for one month of BT Sport, or, choose for BT to donate that credit back to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
"We will continue to review the situation over the coming weeks and will update customers accordingly."
BT adds that customers with queries should try to contact it via their MyBT online accounts or the BT App and refrain from calling if possible.
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