DIRECTV revealed today that it will raise prices on programming packages from $1 a month to $10 a month effective January 23, 2022.
The company also said it was adjusting its regional sports network fees, saying some customers will see no change or a rate decrease while others will see up to a $2 monthly increase. You can see your RSN fee by clicking here.
DIRECTV posted the new prices on its web site. The notice states that the price increase is necessary due to the increased cost of acquiring programming, and the nation’s rising inflation rate. U-verse, a sister TV service to DIRECTV, earlier in the day offered a similar reason for increasing prices next month.
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“Due to increased programming costs, we’re adjusting the price of our video packages,” DIRECTV states. “Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge DIRECTV for the right to broadcast their movies, shows and sporting events. In addition, this year we have experienced higher-than-normal inflation across our suppliers.”
DIRECTV last January raised prices on most programming packages for existing customers by $1 a month to $9 a month, but it lowered the rate for Showtime, Starz and Cinemax by $3 a month each. There are no price changes in the three premium channels in today’s notice.
Here is the DIRECTV price increase (by package) that will take effect on January 23, 2022:
$1 a month increase
BASIC CHOICE
BASIC
FAMILY
$3 a month increase
PREFERRED CHOICE
$4 a month increase
BASICO
FAMILIAR
MAS LATINO
MAS MEXICO
OPCION ESPECIAL
OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL
OPTIMO MAS
SELECT
SELECT CLASSIC
SELECT CHOICE
$5 a month increase
Entertainment
Entertainment Classic
$6 a month increase
MAS ULTRA
MAS ULTRA ORIGINAL
FAMILIAR ULTRA
OPCION ULTRA ESPECIAL
$7 a month increase
CHOICE
TOTAL CHOICE
TOTAL CHOICE LIMITED
TOTAL CHOICE Mobile
$8 a month increase
LO MAXIMO
OPCION PREMIER
PREMIER
XTRA
PREFERRED XTRA
CHOICE XTRA CLASSIC
ULTIMATE
$10 a month increase
MAX
PLUS
DIRECTV Stream, the multi-channel, live streaming service is also likely to announce new pricing today. The Streamable reported last week that Stream’s Choice package is expected to rise by $5 a month in January while Ultimate and Premier will see a $10 increase monthly.
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Waiting for Dave
Yeah he usually responds by now. I’m worried…
How much are they raising the “Select” Package ?
DirecTV is by far our most expensive household bill…surpassing electric, water/sewer, etc. Unfortunately, streaming is not a viable option in our area. We started with DirecTV, went to Dish which was a blackout nightmare, and then back to DirecTV…just so we could watch our beloved Atlanta Braves.
Although we have a lower tier package, no premiuim channels, and three receivers, our bill averages $4.25 per day. Ridiculous! Still another year on our contract and DirecTV has no incentive to offer us any “loyal customer” bill reductions. .
Just as an update…got a letter today from DirecTv raising our rates to over $200 monthly starting in January. Between losing a promotional rate and the monthly rate increase our bill went up by $75. Called DirecTv Customer Retention and told them we could not afford $2400+ annually for television and it would be in our best interests to cancel (even with the penalty) or they needed to help us reduce our bill to a more manageable level. Luckily, they were able to help us and lower our bill by $60 monthly with a new promotion. Still ridiculously high…but better than it was! I hate being shackled to satellite television but our location prohibits other options. Satellite rates just continue to inch up…bit by bit. At some point they will price themselves out of business even for us rural customers!