Virgin urged to waive cancellation penalty as customers seek switch due to loss of sport channels

The Consumers Association of Ireland (CAI) has said that Virgin Media subscribers should be free to cancel their contracts with the company without penalty, given the “significant” loss of Eir Sports and BT Sports.

Dermott Jewell of the CAI made the comments this week after it was revealed that Virgin Media would not broadcast the channels on its service from August 1 after it was unable to reach an agreement with Eir Sports to carry its six channels, including BT Sports.

While Virgin Media has been inundated with online queries from customers wishing to cancel their subscriptions as a result of the change, it has claimed the loss of channels does not change the terms of its contract.