DirecTV Raising Prices and Droping XM
It was two weeks ago when we broke the rumored news of pricing changes at Dish Network. Today we bring you confirmed news of DirecTV’s upcoming price increase.
It appears that DirecTV customers started getting notified of the price increase in an email which started rolling out last night. A copy of the email can be found at http://www.directv.com/email/30896-0_PriceIncrease_2010_Final.pdf.
From the looks of things prices are going up anywhere from $3 to $5 for DirecTV programming packages plus DVR fees are increasing from $5.99 to $7. The biggest increase comes to the DirecTV Premiere package which climbs from $109.00 a month to $114.99.
Word of the increase comes after we leaked out the Dish Network price increase here in “The Satellite Dish” two weeks ago. We reported the rumors that Dish Network was not increasing the rates on their programming packages, however their equipment fees were going up.
This move to new pricing from DirecTV takes effect on February 9th which is unusual for DirecTV as they usually have their pricing changes in March.
The price increase will take place on the same day that DirecTV drops the XM Satellite Radio Channels from their lineup and replaces them with audio services from SonicTap (which is actually DMX.)
The announcement of the dropping to of the XM channels was made last week on DirecTV’s wesite at http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/article.jsp?assetId=P6590007.
According to the website “On February 9, 2010, DIRECTV customers will have a new source for their favorite music channels. SonicTap will continue to deliver the same crystal-clear sound and programming variety that DIRECTV viewers have always enjoyed. And SonicTap features even more music channels with no interruptions.”
For some customers this will be welcome news for others though they will consider it a down grade. I am not sure how I take it, as I always thought it was silly for the satellite radio companies to give away their core music programming to satellite television customers for free. I know a lot of people who never signed up for satellite radio because of the fact they got the service for free with their satellite television subscriptions.
The question now begs to be asked will Dish Network also be dropping the Sirius Satellite Radio channels from it’s lineup as well? I asked Dish Network that question but have yet to receive a reply. I checked the Dish Network website and the mentions of the Sirius Music service are still on the site. If Dish is dropping it then I hope they update their site like DirecTV did so that their customers get some kind of notice.
We will be following this one and will update things as conditions warrant.
Rich commented:
Sonic is crap... I never thought I would be bent out of shape over something like XM being dropped for an occasional listening. Bring back XM, until they go belly up.
Donna E. commented:
I am so pissed. My Directv contract is up in April and I AM DONE!!! I'll switch to Time Warner and use the money saved to buy a damn XM/Sirius portable device.
John commented:
Just dropped my directv after 6 years of service so I can follow the music back to dish network or internet.
cricket1977 commented:
Not happy with the change. I rather enjoyed the XM programming that was offered. So far this Sonic junk has not inspired me this morning.
synjun commented:
Uverse doesn't provide 1080p movies and it's over twisted copper??? Direct TV does, as far as I'm concerned that is a winner for me, but most people are still watching stupid network reality shows...
TJ commented:
I've been a DirecTV customer for about 13 years. I won't miss DirecTV music channels change. I bought a streaming dvm player which has Amazon VOD, Netflix, Pandora, etc. Pandora is great, free, no commercials on my player.
Squawk commented:
The drop in XM programming has nothing to do what DISH is offering. You’re clearly grasping for straws on that one. As Scott points out, Liberty Media, which presently holds controlling interest in DirecTV, holds a large interest in Sirius XM as well.
So, the drop in Sirius XM programming is not about it’s top line, but rather about DirecTV top line, which it can improve by cutting expenses, namely dropping XM-Sirius for less expensive audio programming. Clearly, DirecTV is trying to “prime the pump” before it puts on the its dog & pony show for AT&T and/or Verizon. It’s we (loyal) customers that will pay the price. I’ve already told DirecTV that if their lack of HD programming & missing channels don’t turn around by next year, I’ll be seriously looking to change multichannel providers. DirecTV used to be head & shoulders above the competition. No more. So, continued price increases is going to lead to loss in subscribers except those married to Sunday Ticket.
Note from Scott
I have a bad gut feeling that Dish Network will be dropping Sirius from it’s lineup as well in the new year. I have asked Dish Network if Sirius was going away and got a note back that they had nothing they could share with me at this time. My feeling that was if Sirius was staying it would be easy for them just to say it’s staying.
upper mi commented:
If i could get a few bucks off a month they can drop all them radio stations as i don't listen to them anyway.The best would be like the Big dish had...subscribe to what i watched.That way i would get away with probably 20-25 channels
Sherman commented:
I understand DirecTV launched a new satellite that will expand its HD coverage significantly beginning the in second quarter of 2010. DirecTV should have waited a few months until the new HD channels were added so it could show added value to justify the rate increase. I also like three of the XM radio stations--I hope the new service will have the same type of programming.
Ian commented:
So we get a price increase plus the possible loss of Rainbow programming. Directv has not kept up with the addition of HD channels and we are probably going to cancel our service. I don't like paying considerable monthly fees and the threats of loosing channels we really enjoy!
ArchinStL commented:
Well, they better be adding more national HD channels to justify the price increase. I'm sure the Rainbow/Cablevision owned channel negotiations will come through, and eventually Versus. Unfortunately, I value NFL Sunday Ticket and the MLB Extra Innings to watch Yes HD so UVerse is not an option. Forget Charter, too, they are operating in the 90s.
Reaper commented:
Sport: DIRECTV has 69 true national HD channels. FiOS has 117, Uverse 106 and Dish Network 87. Source: www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081
Total Choice Plus commented:
Is there anything I can get if I switch to Choice Xtra that I don't already get with Total Choice Plus that will justify paying an additional $2?
sport commented:
Considering that the only major sport on Versus is the NHL, and even at that they only have one true exclusive game a week (and a game that results in everyone else being blacked out of their LOCAL games for the night causing many teams, players and fans to speak out against Versus and want to leave Versus if they don't eliminate this whenever the contract is up), and for a portion of the year MSG and MSG+ have no pro sports (their teams rarely make playoffs as well as rumors of the two only non-Cablevision owned teams being disgruntled and might seek a deal with SNY and YES at the end of their contracts), not to mention Dish Network doesn't have some key RSNs as well as extra innings and only carries games in HD of the RSNs they do have (and doesn't even have the capacity to carry all HD games at times since they all share a limited ammount of feeds), yes DirecTV can still be called the leader in sports and HD.
880+ commented:
Also interesting to note that the music channels will go into the 880's, which is currently where users of older recievers go for locals in select markets.
audio commented:
Not to mention Dish Network also carried more of the core Sirius music lineup including some of the artist programmed stations and some of the Canadian stations not just the generic music stations. Also, whoever made up the list on DirecTV.com screwed up. They have an incorrect listing of an XM channel in cases where there's a new addition to the lineup.
Bob commented:
Add the loss of Versus and the possible loss of Rainbow programming including MSG and MSG+ at the end of the month and this is one hell of a time for a rate increase.
Leader in sports? Leader in HD? Not anymore!
Itsme commented:
Spelling in title, should be "Dropping"?
Paul commented:
Hmm, I'm starting to reconsider being with DirecTV. XM was one reason why I've stayed with DirecTV. I hope there is some announcement soon on new HD channels coming with the new satellite or I may very will switch to Uverse.
Reaper commented:
Scott: You act as though DIRECTV wasn’t paying Sirius XM. I doubt that Sirius XM was “giving away” their programming. I imagine that this will be a (perhaps signifigant) loss of revenue for Sirius XM. My guess: DIRECTV didn’t want to offer the same music programming as Dish Network (before the merger, DIRECTV had XM and Dish had Sirius).
From Scott
DIRECTVs parent company Liberty Media rescued Sirius XM from the vurge of bankruptcy earlier this year. They have an interest to see Sirius XM succeed.
My point on giving away the music channels was meant as why would someone with DIRECTV (or DISH) pay SIRIUS XM $11.95 a month when they get the same exact music channels from their satellite provider for free (and not to mention the sound quality is much better as well.)