Comcast Is Raising the Regional Sports Fee In All Markets

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Comcast’s Xfinity TV service is raising the regional sports network fee in all markets, a Comcast spokeswoman has confirmed to The TV Answer Man.

The Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that the RSN fee is rising by 5.5 percent in the Chicago market, raising the monthly charge there to $20.25. The newspaper said the increase became effective on Wednesday (December 18).

It is unclear if the same percentage increase will now go into effect in the rest of Comcast’s Xfinity markets. The Comcast spokeswoman said every market is different because some have multiple regional sports networks.

Xfinity in Chicago, for instance, carries the Marquee Sports Network, which airs Chicago Cubs games. The cable op has yet to add the new Chicago Sports Network which has the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks.

Update: The Comcast spokeswoman says the RSN fee increase will likely be $1-2 a month in each market. She noted that other TV providers have been forced to raise prices due to the escalating cost of acquiring programming. YouTube TV last week announced a $10 monthly increase in its base plan.

“We are sensitive to the impact of programming costs on our customers and are trying to manage that as we negotiate with programmers,” the Comcast spokeswoman said via e-mail. “We’re also continuing to invest in our broadband network to provide the best, most reliable Internet service in the country and to give our customers more low-cost choices in video and connectivity so they can find a package that fits their lifestyle and budget.”

The Tribune also reports that the most recent Xfinity subscriber bill in Chicago shows a 13 percent increase in the Broadcast TV fee, raising the total there to $29.10 a month.

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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.