DirecTV raises rates for 2022 but lowers some sports fees

DirecTV, the satellite provider that was spun off from AT&T this year, is planning more rate hikes for early 2022 but could also lower some regional sports fees.

The company said the latest price changes will take effect on January 23, 2022, but said that DirecTV subscribers on introductory offers will keep their promotional rates until they expire.

“Due to increased programming costs, we’re adjusting the price of our video packages. Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge DirecTV for the right to broadcast their movies, shows, and sporting events. In addition, this year we have experienced higher-than-normal inflation across our suppliers,” the company wrote on its website.

DirecTV’s Basic Choice, Basic and Family packages will all increase by $1 per month; Preferred Choice will increase by $3 per month; Select, Select Classic, Select Choice, Basico, Familiar, Mas Latino, Mas Mexico, Opcion Especial, Opcion Extra Especial and Optimo Mas will increase by $4 per month; Entertainment and Entertainment Classic will increase by $5 per month; Mass Ultra, Mas Ultra Original, Familiar Ultra and Opcion Ultra Especial will increase by $6 per month; Choice, Total Choice, Total Choice Limited and Total Choice Mobile will increase by $7 per month; Ultimate, Choice Xtra Classic, Xtra, Premier, Opcion Premier and Lo Maximo will increase by $8 per month; and Max and Plus will increase by $10 per month.

The rate increases average out to about $5 per month per account.

RELATED: U-verse TV preps a round of price hikes for 2022

However, DirecTV’s regional sports network fees are being adjusted for 2022 and in varying markets, it could result in as much as a $2 per month increase, no change or a decrease.

The price increases at DirecTV follow similar hikes at Dish Network and Comcast. AT&T also announced that its legacy U-verse subscribers would see an increase in 2022.

At the same time, DirecTV Stream will also reportedly raise its rates in the new year. According to The Streamable, the service’s existing tiers will see increases between $5 and $10 per month while legacy DirecTV Now and AT&T TV Now plans will go up by $10 per month.