By Toby Walne, Financial Mail on Sunday
Published: 16:51 EDT, 6 August 2022 | Updated: 04:22 EDT, 7 August 2022
Sports fans celebrating the start of the Premier League season this weekend may need to install extra technology if they wish to continue to watch their teams on TV.
Subscription service Now is turning off the streaming facility for older smart televisions with inbuilt internet access, as offered by Samsung, early next month.
Customers will need to order a £30 Fire TV stick, which plugs into the side of the television and streams using wi-fi, to have access.
Upgrade: Subscription service Now is turning off the streaming facility for older smart televisions with inbuilt internet access
The gadget will be provided free until November 2 for existing subscribers who tap in an emailed promotion code when buying through Amazon.
Now justifies the change by saying some TVs will no longer be 'technically supported', so they need the upgraded software connection from a Fire stick.
Access to its channels will stop otherwise.
Now allows viewers to cancel their subscription at any time. It is offering a £25-a-month deal to watch the Premier League season – discounted for a year from £33.99.
BT provides sports channels that show live matches not available on Now. The BT deal costs £16 a month for a two-year contract, or £25 a month with the right to cancel at any time.
BT's channels can still be accessed online through an internet-connected TV or a set-top box.
Sky, which owns Now, separately offers access to more than 400 live football matches over the season for £18 a month for existing Sky customers signed up to 18-month deals.
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