How Much Are Comcast’s RSN Packages? How Does That Compare to Fubo & DIRECTV Stream?

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

TV Answer Man, I’ve been reading about Comcast moving their regional sports networks to the Ultimate TV package which cost more money. But my question to you is how much does the Ultimate TV package cost? And the Popular plan? Are they cheaper than Fubo or DIRECTV Stream? – Aaron, Miami.

Aaron, Comcast’s Xfinity TV service has two main video packages for new customers: Popular TV, which has roughly 125 channels, and Ultimate TV, which has roughly 185 channels.

During the last year, Comcast has moved the regional sports network (RSN) in several markets from the Popular package to the Ultimate plan including MASN in the Washington, D.C. market; Root Sports in the greater Seattle area; NESN and NBC Sports Boston in the Boston market; SportsNet Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh market; NBC Sports Philadelphia+ in the Philadelphia area; and NBC Bay Area and NBC California in northern California.

The cable operator is likely to move more RSNs from Popular to Ultimate in agreement with the channels. The idea is to reduce Comcast’s carriage fees (fees paid by a cable operator to a channel are based on how many subscribers have access to the channel) and reduce or eliminate the regional sports fee in the Popular plan.

How much does Comcast’s Ultimate plan cost? 
But how much more do you have to pay to get the RSN in the Ultimate plan? And how much does the Ultimate plan cost in total?

If you subscribe to Ultimate without signing a two-year agreement, the cost is around $123 a month not including equipment rental and taxes, according to the Xfinity TV web site. (The Xfinity Broadcast TV fee and regional sports fee are included. Prices also may vary by market.) That’s $20 more than the Popular plan. (If you agree to the two-year contract, Comcast will usually offer cheaper rates, but they vary.)

How does that compare to streaming services that offer regional sports networks without a contract?

Fubo and DIRECTV Stream, which do not require contracts, offer the most regional sports networks among live streaming services. So let’s compare the Ultimate plan to them.

DIRECTV Stream’s Choice plan, its cheapest package which includes RSNs, is $114.99 a month. That’s about $8 less than Ultimate.

Fubo has a package with RSNs included that cost just $79.99 a month but Fubo’s regional sports fee can be as high as $15.99 a month in some markets. Still, Fubo’s RSN plan with the fee included is around $20 less expensive than Ultimate.

So if you compare Comcast’s Ultimate plan with RSNs to the two leading streamers with RSNs, the streamers have the cheaper prices. However, if you’re still in a market with your RSN in the Popular plan, the prices are similar. Plus, if you’re willing to sign a two-year agreement with Xfinity, you might get a lower price than streaming.

Aaron, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question about a favorite show or new TV product or service? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television 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.