DIRECTV vs. Disney: DIRECTV Stream to Raise Prices Next Month

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

DIRECTV Stream, which has been without the Disney channels since last Sunday night due to a carriage dispute, has announced at its web site that it’s raising prices next month.

Effective on or after October 6, 2024, DIRECTV Stream’s base Entertainment plan will rise from $79.99 a month to $86.99 a month. The Choice plan, the streamer’s cheapest plan that includes regional sports networks, will increase from $108.99 a month to $114.99 a month. The Ultimate package will rise from $119.99 a month to $129.99 a month and the Premier package will increase from $164.99 a month to $169.99 a month.

The price hikes are insult to injury for subscribers who have been complaining they can’t watch their favorite Disney-owned networks, including ESPN. In addition, DIRECTV Stream has lost all ABC network affiliates.

The blackout threatens to deny DIRECTV Stream customers from watching this weekend’s slate of college football games on ESPN and the Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets which will be broadcast by ABC and ESPN.

This will be the first price increase for DIRECTV Stream since November 5, 2023 when it raised the Choice plan from $99.99 a month to $108.99 a month; the Entertainment plan from $74.99 a month to $79.99 a month; the Ultimate package from $109.99 a month to $119.99 a month; and the Premier plan from $154.99 a month to $164.99 a month.

In past years, DIRECTV has raised prices for its satellite service and DIRECTV Stream at the same time. However, there is no indication that the satellite prices are increasing as of this morning.

Update: DIRECTV raising prices on satellite plans, too.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.

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