PLP (every game + copa america this year), Fox Soccer (UCL, Internationals, NRL, A league and more), MLB (every game), NBA (every game), NFL (Every game).
Roughly $200 each, though admittedly it depends on exchange rate.
Basically means I can access better quality games, and every game (rather than just the odd game SKY decides to screen) for $200 less per year than sky offers. If I don't wish to watch a sport in a particular year, I can just not sign up, or even sign up for just half a season for half the price. I can do all of this just as easily as switching on the TV and watching it on Sky. I also no longer have to go through the ritual of going through the EPG finding what to record for the next day, its all on demand automatically - so its actually an easier experience than watching it on sky. Can also watch on demand wherever I want, rather than having to watch on tv if I happened to remember to record it.
The only annoyance is there are still gaps, test match cricket for example. To access this I would need to sign up to sky for $1200 a year at a 12 month contract. Though their new fan pass service could fill some gaps, albeit at an expensive price of $20 per week (and you have to hope that what you want to watch is on SS1-4 rather than a popup channel - plus no on demand service). If they added on demand access to their fan pass service, then it'd be ideal.
This season I only got NBA for the playoffs so only signed up for 2 months for that, but may go the full season next year depending if I feel I have time. MLB I'm thinking of dropping until the playoffs next season, and make do with the daily free game they have on their site, if I feel the need to watch the regular season. The ability to be able to choose and pay for what you want is a big plus.
You sum up the advantages of going with online streaming services nicely.
It's all about choice, what suits your particular interests and value for money.
I find the range of options for watching football online exciting.
(I'm only interested in watching football plus some one day and T20 cricket and the Breakers basketball - not any other sports really. I watch some tennis when it's free to air. Maybe it's because those are the sports I played as a kid and young adult)
Sky and Vodafone (who have an exclusive arrangement to provide Sky services with their broadband deals) are responding to the competition from online sports and movie providers by offering a broader range of options and discounts.
Last week I helped an older friend who's not so savvy about internet plans and Sky etc. and loves his football (soccer) and a bit of cricket and tennis.
He was paying way too much to get Sky and the internet (broadband and landline) seperately.
He likes Sky TV for the stuff he gets on UKTV, History Channel, news channels etc. as well and prefers that to watching stuff online.
I went around to his place and we phoned Vodafone after I saw their Rugby World Cup special offer.
He's very happy with the package we got from Vodafone under their special offer for one year:
Unlimited broadband (standard) and home phone = $99 / month
Sky Sport free for six months (after that you can drop it or pay full price - or do what I did when I had Sky through Vodafone and instead drop the My Sky and get Sky Sport for half price forever. Vodafone let you choose either free My Sky or Sky Sport half price on their plans. I used a DVD recorder to record stuff.)
Free My Sky for as long as you remain on a Vodafone broadband and Sky deal (past the 12 month offer too)
Free My Sky set up fee (usually $99) - if you don't currently have Sky TV in your house, the installation fee is free too.
"Best Mates" free national toll calls to five nominated landline or mobile numbers.
So for the first six months he'll be paying only $148 / month ($99 broadband and phone; $49 Sky Basic) with the Sky Sport and My Sky free.
I don't have Sky at the moment but I'm tempted by this offer.
If you're already paying say $89 - $99 month for your broadband and home phone, then it's only $49 / $59 month extra to get Sky with Sky Sport and My Sky from Vodafone - and unlimited data too.
At the end of the 12 month special offer you can change to Vodafone's 80 gb plan with home phone for $89 / month and choose either free My Sky or Sky Sport half price.