The nation's largest cable operator says it will be raising prices for cable TV and internet service on Jan. But it also added a significant hike to its broadcast TV fee, which went from $13.50 to $16.45 a month. Charter last raised priced for TV service in August, when it imposed an additional $1.25 monthly on TV Select, TV Silver, and TV Gold packages. So far, TV prices are remaining the same. It doesn't affect its low-cost Spectrum Internet Essentials plan.
INFINITY INTERNET USAGE MONITOR PLUS
The increase affects most tiers of internet service, including regular internet, plus higher-speed options such as Spectrum Ultra and Spectrum Gig, and those who have a grandfathered Time Warner Cable internet package without cable TV. HBO/HBO Max, though, will still cost the same $15 per month.Įarlier this month Charter, which operates the Spectrum-brand TV and internet service, raised prices on internet service by $5 per month for internet-only customers, as well as for those who bundle broadband internet with one of the company's streaming video services, such as Spectrum Choice, Essentials, or Stream.Ĭharter customers who bundle broadband with the cable operator's traditional pay-TV service aren't being hit by the price hike. The company is chopping $3 off the monthly price to add Showtime, Starz, or Cinemax to a package. "We have lowered prices on many popular premium channels.” “We are adjusting the prices of our video packages to align with the costs of providing the entertainment options that our customers have come to expect," AT&T said in a statement to CR. But the price of the most basic U-verse plan is staying the same. U-verse customers will see price increases from $5 to $9 per month on most plans. Those who get WorldDirect packages will see prices rise from up to $3 a month, but the price of the DirecTV Family plan will remain the same. Most DirecTV customers will be paying $5 to $9 more each month, depending on the plan, starting Jan.
Households that are eligible for the FCC's Lifeline program-which provides subsidies to families who can't readily afford internet access-as well as those who've lost jobs during the pandemic-can receive up to $50 per month to offset the cost.Ĭustomers of DirecTV and U-verse TV service will see prices rise starting next month. In addition, the new stimulus package expected to pass Congress includes a $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit.
On a positive note, many internet service providers have continued to extend programs begun in response to the pandemic to keep students and those eligible for low-income programs connected. We'll add them to this list once that information becomes available.
Other companies haven't disclosed rate increases but in the past have raised rates in the January to March time frame. Here's a list of the companies that have already announced price hikes for TV plans, broadband internet service, or both. You also have a 24-hour window to cancel service without penalty, and you can no longer be charged for equipment you don't use, such as a router if you're using your own. A new law, passed at the end of 2019 and now finally in effect, requires cable and satellite TV companies to disclose the total monthly price of your TV bill, including all itemized charges, fees, and estimated taxes, when you sign up. A lot of those bills consist of added cable fees that aren't included in the advertised price but show up on the monthly bill. There's one bright note for consumers facing high cable TV prices. More people are opting for the streaming alternatives, including some some newer ones from large media companies. Some 6.3 million people dropped their cable or satellite TV service in just the past 12 months, according to the investment research firm Moffett Nathanson. Traditional pay-TV companies continue to lose TV subscribers but are adding broadband customers. “We are delivering faster broadband speeds and improved performance-all as the average price per megabit per second and per gig consumed declines dramatically.” In a statement sent to Consumer Reports, Charter said it was raising the price for Spectrum internet access as the company enhances its services. Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge DIRECTV for the right to broadcast their movies, shows and sporting events,” DirecTV said in a notice to customers. “Due to increased programming costs, we’re adjusting the price of our video packages. As with past price hikes, the TV companies blame the ever-rising cost of programming, as well as improvements in broadband speeds, for the increases.