2020 price increases

2020 Directv rate increases 

There is only an annual rate adjustment. Any changes beyond that would be discounts ending, one-time charges, or you made changes to what services you have.

Specifically for the 2020 adjustments that is because the networks charge the TV providers more, just like in prior years. This is why the base cost adjusts once a year.

The base cost will adjust a few dollars. The email notification should have referred you to www.att.com/2020pricing to see exactly what changes and by how much.

DTV and all other providers have no control over a channels programing or commercials.

Good thing is you can change your package at any time. So you could always reduce service if you are not watching as much, or only have a higher package when watching certain channels (like when new seasons of your favorite shows are airing) and have it lower the rest of the time. You do have Family, Select, Entertainment, Choice, Xtra (or Preferred Xtra if you don't watch sports), Ultimate and Premier to choose from.

@Juniper  @shannon02  i wonder how many people angry over the price increase are also people that were screaming about negotiations earlier this year, i know you both have voiced in those post the potential price increase when the providers cave to the demands of the content providers

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@Constructive wrote:

@Juniper  @shannon02  i wonder how many people angry over the price increase are also people that were screaming about negotiations earlier this year, i know you both have voiced in those post the potential price increase when the providers cave to the demands of the content providers

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Excellent point!

Folks scream when their favorite channel pulls their feed in demand for money.  And folks scream when prices go up.  TV providers like DirecTV, Dish, Comcast, etc are caught between a rock and a hard place.  And they're losing subscribers to streaming alternatives in droves (and they're also raising prices). How much longer with traditional TV providers be around?

DTV and all other providers have no control over a channel programing or commercials and it is the channels that get those ad dollars.  If the TV providers didn't pay the channels they would have to add more commercials to make up the difference.

@tvhater 

Advertisers pay channels for the space. TV providers pay channels to carry them. If it weren't for commercials, TV providers would have to pay those networks even more which would really jump our bills.

TV Land is part of Viacom. They were very aggressive in the last 2 negotiations they had with DirecTV, upsetting customers by withholding the feed to try and get more money. Since they also own the Nickelodeon channels, they were banking on taking parent's "babysitter" away being strong leverage.

The $10 HD is not expected to go away in the overall cost. New customers don't have an HD fee (since late 2015 when SD only service was grandfathered), but prices have been rearranged for newer customers to still include the cost.

Old way: Primary TV $0, HD $10, DVR $10, Whole Home DVR $3 = $23

New way: Primary TV $7, HD is included (not listed on bill), Advanced Receiver (DVR/Whole Home DVR) $15 = $22

So cost of HD is still there. But for us older customers it is itemized as is from when it was an optional upgrade. I prefer itemized so I know what each part of my bill is, but I understand a lot of people just want to know total before tax and don't need in-depth details.

I agree that Directv should not have to pay for the "free" locals but the FCC specifically allows the local stations to charge Directv a retransmission fee. And these fees are going up all the time. 

So now all the people who complained because their local station were interrupted are now complaining because the prices have gone up. You can't have it both ways.

I wish they would finish testing and production of the Local Channel Connector (LCC) as that would make a dent in local channel negotiations. Especially if they could update packages to have where locals are optional again like when they first got access to them.

Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of locals through DirecTV itself, but I want a little more control over my options especially if it gives me some flexibility tot lower the bill.

I couldn't agree more plus we are on a fixed income and we certainly don't see many increases. We've been with DirectV, now AT&TDirect since 1997 and quite frankly disgusted with price increases and no additional services, freeze ups lasting into programming and commercials that are indeed LLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG! Yes we pay extra for local stations, however our TV in the kitchen uses an antenna and gets many channels because of our location. If I could flip a switch on the main TV for local channels using an outdoor antenna, easily, I would do it a heartbeat. We have an old program with NO premium channels, except DIY and are now paying almost $150 per month. Investigating DISH currently. New customers get many breaks, where are the incentives and price breaks for existing customers???