DIRECTV prices are going up, as customers will be receiving notice of a price increase in the weeks ahead. Word of the latest price increase began leaking last week, and now we have official confirmation that if you are a DIRECTV customer, you’ll be paying a little more in 2010.
Of course the DIRECTV price hike shouldn’t be much of a surprise, typically cable and satellite providers raise rates around the beginning of each year. Comcast rates increased already, and it looks like AT&T U-verse and Verizon Fios price increases are also on the horizon. So how much more can you expect to pay if your are a DIRECTV subscriber?
Most DIRECTV packages will increase in price by $3 to $5 a month, or about 4% compared to 2009 rates. Charges for DVR service will also rise, going from $5.99 to $7 a month. No doubt DIRECTV has noticed cable providers charging upwards of $15 a month for DVR service and felt there was room to hike the fee without too much customer backlash. DIRECTV prices will go up on February 9th, 2010 which is earlier than last year’s price increase.
If you are looking for specifics, here is a breakdown of how each DIRECTV bundle is currently priced, and how much it will cost in 2010 when the rate increase goes into effect.
The DIRECTV Choice package will move from $55.99 up to $58.99 a month, a $3 increase.
DIRECTV ChoiceXtra will also increase $3, from $60.99 to $63.99.
Plus DVR will move up $4 bucks a month to $69.99, from $65.99 previously.
The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR package will go up $4, from $75.99 to $79.99 a month.
The DIRECTV Premier package will rise jump $5, from $109.99 to $114.99 per month.
If you have been a subscriber for quite some time, you may have one of the legacy base packages, which you are allowed to keep as long as your account is in good standing. Here is a rundown of what these packages will cost under the new pricing structure, including DIRECTV Spanish language packages.
BASIC $15.99/mo
BÁSICO $35.99/mo
DIRECTV LIMITED $27.99
FAMILIAR $51.99
FAMILIAR ULTRA $60.99
OPCIÓN ESPECIAL $35.99
OPCIÓN EXTRA $43.99
OPCIÓN EXTRA ESPECIAL® $52.99
OPCIÓN PREMIER® $108.99
OPCIÓN ULTRA ESPECIAL $54.99
OPTIMO MÁS PLUS DVR $53.99
PLUS DIRECTV $36.99
SELECT CHOICE $41.99
TOTAL CHOICE $57.49
TOTAL CHOICE LIMITED $48.99
TOTAL CHOICE PLUS $61.49
DIRECTV DVR Service fee $7.00 per month/per DVR
So is there any avoiding the DIRECTV price increase? If you have subscribed recently, or are considering a new subscription with DIRECTV, you may be have locked in your price at the 2009 rate. If that is the case, you will see the normal price for the remaining time on your 12 month price lock, and then a credit applied on your bill. New subscribers can take advantage of the current DIRECTV deals out there, which right now offer up to $26 off per month for the first year of service.
Rumors of a Dish Network price increase for 2010 have also been circulating, though nothing official has come from the company yet.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is not true. I am under the 12 month agreement period on my directv and they increased it this month. I called directv and they said the discount of $21 was the agreement not the price of the pkg or the dvr. My contact started in August and the prices should remain the same.
I just became a DirectTV customer last month. I saw the increase on my bill of $4 but there was also a credit of $4 for a “price guarantee” that ends after my first year. It’s still cheaper than Comcast. I changed from Comcast because everytime I added an HD tv to my house, they wanted to charge me $7.95 for the box and then another $7.95 for the HD service PER TV. I could understand $7.95 for the box but $7.95 PER TV for HD service was unbelievable. DirectTV is still the lesser of the two evils.
I have been a customer for two plus years.I just ordered HD service on Feb 14th. $10 a month extra and waived for three months. Free HD DVR and free install.I got my bill and the Premier Package was $5 more and the DVR service increased $1. After 40 minutes I convinced someone to give me six extra months of free HD. I told them I was not told of the increase and I would not have ordered it if I had known about the increase. They said since I was a loyal customer they would do this for me. (not without a fight)