BSkyB hits back at BT with free broadband blow

British Sky Broadcasting has landed a counter-punch on rival BT as both companies duke it out for sports fans and broadband customers. A few weeks after BT launched a free sports TV offer for customers who signed up to its broadband, BskyB on Friday launched a counter-offer of free broadband to those who bought its sports TV packages. The rivalry between the companies has reached fever pitch in the run-up to BT's planned launch in August of its first foray into sports broadcasting, including 38 live Premier League football matches. Sky's counter-punch on Friday was to offer TV customers with Sky Sports 12 months of free broadband on Sky's standard unlimited package, or six months free superfast broadband on Sky Fibre Unlimited.Dominic Baliszewski, telecoms expert at broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: "Sky still has the most comprehensive sports TV coverage on the market, and for a lot of sports-mad fans that is the most important thing.""That being said, customers who have shunned sports packages because of the expense now have a viable alternative in BT Sport that will give them a dose of sporting action when they need it."Shares in British Sky Broadcasting were down 0.7% at 786.5p and BT's up 1.4% to 312.1p by the close on Friday.OH