Think You Have a Price Lock on TV Programming?

By Steven McKean · Jan 9, 2019 2 min read

TV Price Hikes

Why your locked TV rate can still climb

Whether you subscribe to a cable giant or a newer streaming service, a “locked” price often isn’t. Here’s how Comcast and FuboTV raised rates in 2019 — and what you can do about it.

1 Your Price Lock May Not Hold

Think You Have a Price Lock on TV Programming? Companies Can Still Raise Your Rates.

Ready to pay more for TV programming in 2019? Whether you’re a customer of a cable behemoth or a customer of a relatively new TV service company, you’d better be willing to pay more for your television content this year.

2 Comcast Raises Fees in 2019

If you think that being a loyal Comcast customer with a contract keeps you safe from price hikes, you’re wrong. Comcast raised its “Broadcast TV” and “Regional Sports Network” fees starting January 1, 2019. The typical price will go up from $14.50 to $18.25 per month. The broadcast TV fee will now be $10 per month, up from $8 and the sports fee will go from $6.25 to $8.25 per month. Even the modem rental fee has increased. You can access a full list of prices here. Having a contract doesn’t seem to lock you into your advertised rate. That’s because contract wording may keep your TV package price the same but does not guarantee that your rates and rental fees will remain the same. In fact, this is how corporate giants like Comcast take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

3 FuboTV Hikes Streaming Prices

FuboTV is a new company with the same old story. The streaming TV service is raising prices for its legacy subscribers in 2019. When FuboTV originally launched, their service cost $34.99. Since then, they have increased rates to $39.99 in most markets and $44.99 in the New York metro area. In February 2018, FuboTV raised prices to $44.99 across all markets. Customers who believed they were grandfathered into the $34.99 price have found themselves in an unfortunate situation. FuboTV announced that they would raise prices for all their customers, including those who believed they were locked into the $34.99 price. FuboTV’s email sought to cushion the blow by highlighting the company’s programming additions. However, for most consumers, the $10/month rate hike is not only significant, but it’s also unexpected.

4 What You Can Do About It

So what can you do other than lower your expectations? Contact Billshark. We’ll lower your monthly bills so that you’re never overpaying.

Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts
Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a contract or price lock protect me from TV rate increases?

Not necessarily. Contract wording may keep your TV package price the same, but it does not guarantee that your rates and rental fees will remain the same. Companies can still raise broadcast TV fees, regional sports network fees, and even modem rental fees while your advertised package price stays unchanged, leaving you paying more than the rate you thought you were locked into.

How much did Comcast raise its fees starting January 1, 2019?

Comcast raised its Broadcast TV and Regional Sports Network fees starting January 1, 2019. The typical combined price went up from $14.50 to $18.25 per month. The broadcast TV fee rose to $10 per month, up from $8, and the sports fee went from $6.25 to $8.25 per month. Even the modem rental fee increased.

Did FuboTV raise prices for subscribers who thought they were locked in?

Yes. FuboTV raised prices for legacy subscribers in 2019. The service originally cost $34.99, then rose to $39.99 in most markets and $44.99 in the New York metro area. In February 2018, prices went to $44.99 across all markets. Customers who believed they were grandfathered into the $34.99 price found their rates raised too.

How big was the FuboTV price increase for affected customers?

For customers who believed they were locked into the original $34.99 rate, the increase to $44.99 amounted to a $10 per month rate hike. FuboTV’s email tried to cushion the blow by highlighting the company’s programming additions, but for most consumers the increase was not only significant but also unexpected.

What can I do if my TV provider raises my rates?

Other than lowering your expectations, you can contact Billshark. Billshark works to lower your monthly bills so that you’re never overpaying, even when cable and streaming companies raise rates on customers who believed their prices were locked in.