Sky+ or Virgin/NTL cable tv

[Konspiracy]

I have a Sky+ box (had it for maybe 2 years) & am quite happy with it. Ive had Sky since around 1994 and apart from the cost Ive not had many problems with it.

I have Virgin/ntl phone & Broadband & again am quite happy with both.

Last week I decided to invest in Setanta & in the first week it looks good.

My query is really about 'Insurance'. What happens if my Sky box breaks as it will shortly. Im happy with my lot but am out of the insurance period so if it breaks what do I do? Anyone know any cheap insurance for Sky+ or would I be better off going the whole hog with Virgin. Would it cost me to transfer Setanta over to NTL/Virgin for Sky+? We are sports mad in the house so basically we NEED Sky Sports & Setanta Sports.
Question is do I insure against Sky+ breaking - if so haow much? or,
2 - would Sky say ok youve paid your subs since 1994 - we'll offer you this discount etc etc, or
3 - I change everything over to NTL/Virgin - will Setanta swap over easily (paying 15 quid per month at present) - will everything on Sky Sport be transferable to ntl/Virgin & will price be affordable.
4 Finally - honest answers please - will I be happy if I transfer all to Virgin?
I always though both Sky & Virgin were open to 'negotiation' - ie if you threaten to leave they reduce x, y & z.
Any help much appreciated.

[poinsy]

Firstly, how do you know your Sky+ box will "break as it will shortly"?

One option would be to ditch Virgin totally. You get free broadband with Sky. Also, they are removing the �10 Sky+ subscription in July.

If you ring up to cancel, they may offer you 1/2 price for 3 months or more, they did for my mates.

Just an idea...

[jammiedodger]

as poinsy says, threaten to cancel with ntl and they will give u half price line rental, my dads been doing it every 6 months for 18 months so they keep our broadband at �9.99! not trying to get one over on ntl but actually cancelling due to the price increase so its their fault if they keep pffering it to us lower instead of letting us cancel!!

[agamad]

poinsy, sky wouldn't cut me any deal at all and i'm considering kicking them into touch now Lost has finished.

However...your comment about them ditching the �10 sky+ subscription intrigues me. I don't subscribe to any premium channels (ditched them on a cost cutting exercise) and so I now pay the �10. Where did you get that info?

I also have ntl phone & broadband and can get good deals (but have to chase nearly every month!)

[poinsy]

Look here
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a57991/s ky-scraps-sky-subscription-charge.html

However, they are scrapping the charge, but only if you actually subscribe to something. So, basically, if you want Sky+ functionality, you are still going to have to pay something every month.

[SteveSx1]

They may be removing the �10 charge for subscribers
but they are increasing the subscription charge by about �3 per month - cheeky bastar�"