Directv to be raising prices - thanks Dennis!

[Karl Foster]

Thanks to Dennis who first posted this in the Dish Network discussion. It looks like Directv will be following suit by also giving us a price increase:

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030115/media_hughes_latam_1.html

The last paragraph says that Total Choice w/locals will be around $39. I'm guessing it will go from $37.99 to $39.99. I don't know about TC+, TC Premier, etc. The article doesn't say anything about those packages.

When Directv restructured the packages last year, those of us with Total Choice w/locals and the Family Pack actually had a price decrease of $4 when it became Total Choice Plus w/locals, so I guess we can't complain too loudly. In my area, it is still cheaper than digital cable by about $5 per month for a comparable package.

I guess it was destined to happen :(

[platinum]

I've had D* since 95 and had only one increase so i'm not going to complain.

[Mike123abc]

Price increases by both D* and E* are really caused more by the rate increases popular content providers are charging. D/E have not really been in the position to raise prices just to make more money, they have to compete with cable. Now that cable ratings are passing network TV, expect them to be charging more and more and more.

[raj2001]

Oh well, at least they're still cheaper than cable for basic packages.

[platinum]

And D* has the YES network

[CARL O.]

Well after the merger failed, Echostar had to pay Hugeh 600 million $, so naturally E* would raise their rates.But why would DTV? Hope they add more chn's.

[Richard]

no complaints here, don't need any new channels either.

[DCSholtis]

From what has been posted over at DBS Forums the rumor has it that Total Choice will go to 38.99......up a buck.....Total Choice w/Locals...to 41.99..... up 2 bucks....and a POSSIBLE bundling of some packs again...Like Total Choice + Locals+HBO for 50.99....dollar decrease.....Supposedly Total Choice Premier will stay at 81.99...no increase....we will just have to wait and see.....Ive been with them since 95 as well...no way in hell would I consider a switch...Ive been very happy with Directv

[pez2002]

Bundiling up the packages Agian would make sense
totalchoice/hbo/starz $50 a month sounds cool If i could have it my way

[raj2001]

Originally posted by CARL O.
Well after the merger failed, Echostar had to pay Hugeh 600 million $, so naturally E* would raise their rates.But why would DTV? Hope they add more chn's.

The whole reason they had this merger proposal was because DTV is struggling financially. Now they're looking at ways to cut costs and boost revenue.

In that article they also said that DTVLA was going to file for bankruptcy soon. I personally think that DTVLA will go under, mainly because Latin American and Caribbean cable companies offer much better packages and pricing, and local channels, which DTVLA does not. C-Band systems are also very popular. Their main marketing pitch there has been picture quality (it's better than USA DTV) and accessibility from rural areas.

[catman]

The reason for the rate increase is . Your networks like lifetime , usa all want MORE money . They get money from ads . That's not enough . They need more . Cut out the commerials and a show would run 2 hours not , 3 hours as it is now .

[raj2001]

Originally posted by catman
The reason for the rate increase is . Your networks like lifetime , usa all want MORE money . They get money from ads . That's not enough . They need more . Cut out the commerials and a show would run 2 hours not , 3 hours as it is now .


I wonder if DirecTV can offer a package without Lifetime and charge me the old price or less? I usually block out Lifetime because it's feminist and sexist and always portrays men as being the scum of the earth.

[Brett]

Originally posted by DCSholtis
From what has been posted over at DBS Forums the rumor has it that Total Choice will go to 38.99......up a buck.....Total Choice w/Locals...to 41.99..... up 2 bucks....and a POSSIBLE bundling of some packs again...Like Total Choice + Locals+HBO for 50.99....dollar decrease.....Supposedly Total Choice Premier will stay at 81.99...no increase....we will just have to wait and see.....Ive been with them since 95 as well...no way in hell would I consider a switch...Ive been very happy with Directv

Total Choice is currently $31.99. I dont think it will go to $38.99.

Do you mean Total Choice with locals?

I just hope they keep Total Choice Plus with locals at $39.99 or if they need to price increase it, not more than a $1.

[Jacob S]

The $38.99 price was a bundled price with locals included. Is $38.99 the old price or the new price? I figure they would make it $39.99 to make it an even price.

[DCSholtis]

Sorry I meant Total Choice Plus without locals.