Every new year seems to bring an old — and unfortunate — turn of events: a rise in cable TV prices.
Multiple major cable companies, including the following, are hiking rates this month.
DirecTV
Starting Jan. 17, DirecTV bills will include a Federal Cost Recovery Fee of $ 0.19 monthly, which previously was charged annually. This change is to cover regulatory costs that DirecTV pays to the Federal Communications Commission.
Additionally, prices for most DirecTV packages will rise on Jan. 17 due to rising costs. As DirectTV’s parent company, AT&T, explains on its website:
“Due to increased programming costs, we’re adjusting the price of our video packages. Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge AT&T for the right to broadcast their movies, shows, and sporting events.”
The prices of three non-premium DirecTV packages, including Minimum service and Family, will remain the same this year. But all other such packages will cost anywhere from $ 1 to $ 9 more each month.
On a more positive note, AT&T says it is lowering the prices of most premium DirecTV packages and channels like Showtime, Starz and Cinemax.
More details are available on AT&T’s “TV price changes for 2021” webpage.
AT&T U-Verse TV
Prices for most AT&T U-Verse TV packages will rise on Jan. 17. As is the case with DirecTV price hikes, this is due to rising programming costs, AT&T says.
Only the price of U-basic will remain the same. All other U-Verse TV packages will cost $ 5 to $ 9 more each month.
For more details, visit AT&T’s “TV price changes for 2021” webpage.
Xfinity
Comcast’s Xfinity also has raised prices, effective Jan. 1, according to Cord Cutters News.
The broadcast TV fee that customers pay is increasing by $ 4.50 per month, from $ 11.70 to $ 16.20.
Prices also are rising on basic and premium TV packages, as well as several on-demand packages. Some of the increases include the following monthly hikes:
- Choice TV: $ 5
- AMC + On Demand: $ 2
- Docurama On Demand: $ 2
- Gala On Demand: $ 2
- Galam TV Fit & Yoga On Demand: $ 1
- UP Faith and Family On Demand: $ 1
- WE tv + On Demand: $ 1
How to cut the cable TV cord
If such price hikes represent the final straw for you — or if you simply want to try to cut your TV costs for whatever reason — cutting the cable cord can be a great way to save. But only if you do it right.
As we point out in “Why Cutting the Cord Can Be Confusing — and How to Decide If It’s for You,” saving money on TV service is not always straightforward:
“It can be deceptively difficult to figure out whether switching to a streaming TV service or sticking with a traditional paid-TV provider would be cheaper for you.”
To learn more about your options, check out Money Talks News’ latest coverage of streaming and cable TV services.
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