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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 11:11 AM Mar 2019

DirecTV to Hike Prices After Owner AT&T Promised Cheaper Bills

AT&T Inc. is hiking prices on its pay TV services for the second time since January, even after telling a judge during the U.S. antitrust trial last year that prices would go down if it was allowed to buy Time Warner Inc.

Next month, most of the 1.6 million subscribers of DirecTV Now, a live TV streaming service, will be charged $10 a month more as AT&T changes its programming packages. That follows a price increase in January for its traditional satellite service.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon (a George W. Bush appointee) rejected the Justice Department’s arguments that buying Time Warner would lead to higher prices for cable and satellite-TV subscribers, delivering a victory to AT&T.

Next month, most DirecTV Now subscribers will see a $10 a month increase. New customers have a choice of a 40 channel package that includes HBO for $50 or a $70 package with 50 channels including HBO and Cinemax. Existing customers can keep their plans, but many will see a $10 increase.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-14/directv-to-hike-prices-after-owner-at-t-promised-cheaper-bills?srnd=politics-vp

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DirecTV to Hike Prices After Owner AT&T Promised Cheaper Bills (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Mar 2019 OP
Figures. And I recall when a judge or someone blocked their merger attempt w/ another... SWBTATTReg Mar 2019 #1
They are pricing themselves right out of the market. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2019 #3
These guys wont see IPTV coming uponit7771 Mar 2019 #2
Internel Protocol TV? Wasn't sure what this acronym was? Thanks. nt SWBTATTReg Mar 2019 #4
I think uponit7771 Mar 2019 #5
Yep, it is. Interesting. I try to keep on top of all of these but man, sometimes it gets to be... SWBTATTReg Mar 2019 #6
IPTV is here. Uverse, DTVNow, Google, Playstation, PRIME, etc. kysrsoze Mar 2019 #8
Bye bye Wellstone ruled Mar 2019 #7
Have been dealing with this myself gibraltar72 Mar 2019 #9
We will be seeing some great new safeinOhio Mar 2019 #10

SWBTATTReg

(22,133 posts)
1. Figures. And I recall when a judge or someone blocked their merger attempt w/ another...
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 11:16 AM
Mar 2019

entity, telling them that their claims on not raising prices was a lie (several years ago). I thought competition was supposed to be dropping prices and this is clear evidence of stifling competition and raising prices simply because they can do so without negative consequences.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
3. They are pricing themselves right out of the market.
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 11:31 AM
Mar 2019

Streaming on demand is so much cheaper, no commercials, watch what you want when you want.

"cord cutting" is becoming more popular every year, and the cable dependent networks know it.

SWBTATTReg

(22,133 posts)
6. Yep, it is. Interesting. I try to keep on top of all of these but man, sometimes it gets to be...
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 11:55 AM
Mar 2019

too much fun! Thanks and take care.

Global Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) Market describes an in-depth evaluation and professional survey on the present and future state of the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) market across the globe, including valuable facts and figures.

kysrsoze

(6,022 posts)
8. IPTV is here. Uverse, DTVNow, Google, Playstation, PRIME, etc.
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 12:34 PM
Mar 2019

DTVNow is TV over internet, no matter what device you watch it on. IPTV is everywhere, but with the exception of Netflix and Hulu, it’s still all packages of channels just like regular ol’ cable. Even PRIME and YouTube have bundled channels and add-on packages like HBO, Stars, etc.

Programmers charge largely the same amount for their channels to everyone and force all providers to bundle channels. It comes down to who can deliver most efficiently, from a cost perspective... or deliver their own programming like Netflix and PRIME.

gibraltar72

(7,506 posts)
9. Have been dealing with this myself
Thu Mar 14, 2019, 12:35 PM
Mar 2019

Told them the other day I will be looking for alternatives. When they were direct TV they listened and negotiated to keep a customer. Seems that isn't going to happen anymore. I have Dish and Comcast available will probably choose one of them.

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