SubscribeSatellite dish customers relying on Dish Networks or DirecTV for cable programming will need to open their wallets wider in 2018 to cover rate increases at both providers.
Dish
“On behalf of all of us at Dish, thank you for your business. You have asked us to be honest and upfront with changes to your account, and that is why we are writing you,” the satellite company wrote on its website.
Effective Jan. 16, 2018, broad rate hikes of about $3 a month for cable networks and $2 a month for local channels will take effect. Dish’s “Smart Pack” will increase by 7% to $44.99 a month, America’s Top 200 rises 6% to $89.99 and America’s Everything gets a 3.4% boost to $149.99 a month. Customers on a promotion will not see the rate hike until their offer expires.
The biggest rate increase by percentage applies to local stations, where most will see a 20% rate hike from $10 to $12 a month.
Dish has published its 2018 rate card on its website, detailing the price hikes.
| Package | Core Programming | Local Channels | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pack | $22.99 | Included | $22.99 |
| Smart Pack | $32.99 | $12.00 | $44.99 |
| DISH America | $47.99 | $12.00 | $59.99 |
| America’s Top 120 | $62.99 | $12.00 | $74.99 |
| America’s Top 120 Plus | $67.99 | $12.00 | $79.99 |
| America’s Top 200 | $77.99 | $12.00 | $89.99 |
| America’s Top 250 | $87.99 | $12.00 | $99.99 |
| America’s Everything Pack | $137.99 | $12.00 | $149.99 |
Spanish/Latino Packages
| Package | Core Programming | Local Channels | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DishLATINO Basico | $34.99 | Included | $34.99 |
| DishLATINO Clásico | $37.99 | $12.00 | $49.99 |
| DishLATINO Plus | $44.99 | $12.00 | $56.99 |
| DishLATINO Dos | $62.99 | $12.00 | $74.99 |
| DishLATINO Max | $74.99 | $12.00 | $86.99 |
Channel Packs
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| Locals Pack | $12.00 |
| National Action Pack | $12.00 |
| Regional Action Pack | $12.00 |
| News Pack | $10.00 |
| Kids Pack | $10.00 |
| Latino Bonus | $10.00 |
| Variety Pack | $6.00 |
| Heartland Pack | $6.00 |
| SiriusXM Pack | $6.00 |
| Outdoor Pack | $4.00 |
DirecTV
DirecTV rates will rise effective Jan. 21, 2018 according to its website. The increase is blamed on programming costs. Customers on a promotion will not see the rate increase until that promotion expires. But AT&T, which owns DirecTV, also warns customers if they change their current base package, their promotion will end immediately and the new, higher rates apply.
| DIRECTV Packages | Monthly Price Increase |
| Minimum Service FAMILY |
$0 |
| SELECT SELECT CLASSIC SELECT CHOICE |
$2 |
| ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT CLASSIC |
$3 |
| CHOICE TOTAL CHOICE |
$4 |
| TOTAL CHOICE LIMITED | $4.50 |
| TOTAL CHOICE Mobile CHOICE XTRA CLASSIC |
$5 |
| PREFERRED XTRA XTRA |
$7 |
| ULTIMATE PREMIER |
$8 |
| DIRECTV Español | Monthly Price Increase |
| ChineseDirect Plus | $0 |
| BASIC CHOICE BASIC |
$1 |
| MAS LATINO OPTIMO MAS PREFERRED CHOICE MAS MEXICO BASICO OPCION ESPECIAL |
$2 |
| FAMILIAR OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL |
$3 |
| OPCION ULTRA ESPECIAL | $4 |
| MAS ULTRA MAS ULTRA ORIGINAL FAMILIAR ULTRA |
$5 |
| LO MAXIMO OPCION PREMIER |
$8 |
Regional Sports Network and Outdoor Channel pricing adjustments for DIRECTV
| Service | Monthly price increase |
| Regional Sports Network Tier 1 | $0.00 |
| Regional Sports Network Tier 2 | $0.70 |
| Regional Sports Network Tier 3 | $0.81 |
| Regional Sports Network Tier 4 | $0.20 |
| Regional Sports Network Tier 5 | $1.00 |
| Outdoor Channel | $1.49 |
Push your luck cable providers, keep pushing your luck. Your primary subscribers are dying off quickly better get to getting while the getting is good. Next up Dish/ Verizon goliath.