DirecTV Readies Package Price Increase

[Gregg Lengling]

DirecTV will raise prices for its consumer packages on March 1, the satellite TV company revealed late Thursday.

On average, rates will go up for DirecTV customers by 4 percent, when taking into consideration the $63 in average monthly revenue generated on an average customer basis. The packages mentioned by the company will see a $3 increase.

The Total Choice package will go from $39.99 a month to $41.99 a month. Total Choice Plus will climb from $42.99 a month to $45.99 a month. And Total Choice Premier will jump from $90.99 a month to $93.99 a month.

Prices for premium services will not see an increase. The upcoming price increase also will not cover sports packages, though pricing for sports packages typically are announced in advance of the particular sports season start and usually change year from year.

When asked to comment on the pending price increases, DirecTV spokesperson Bob Marsocci said the company has encountered higher programming costs, much like other cable and satellite TV companies. And Marsocci said DirecTV continues to invest in its business, including work on several "capital intensive" items that he said will help make DirecTV a more attractive service to consumers.

DirecTV has opened two new call centers to handle its growing customer base. And beginning this year, DirecTV will begin launching new satellites that will support an expansion of its service, such as more national high def channels and local HD. The next-generation satellites alone - four Ka-Band spacecraft - represent a $1 billion investment, Marsocci said.