A new option is available to those shopping satellite TV services, as the DIRECTV Entertainment package is now available.  Offered at the $29.99 price point for new subscribers, this bundle will appeal to the budget minded, and to those who don’t need a every channel when they turn on the TV.

So why is DIRECTV introducing a new package in 2012?  The Choice package has long been advertised as the $29.99 a month bundle for new customers.  But last year the discount offered on the package to new customers was $31 a month, more than 50% of the overall price.  The 2012 DIRECTV price hike moves this package up to $63.99 when looking at the normal price, so creating a new package with a lower price makes sense for those looking to keep costs down, and for the satellite company as they no doubt want to advertise a low priced option at around $30 a month.  So how does the Entertainment package differ from the Choice package?

The channel selection is still there with this new DIRECTV bundle.  The Entertainment package will offer around 140 channels, with several sports channels being eliminated when compared to the Choice option.   If you go for the lower price option, you will not find the following channels:

ESPNEWS

ESPNU

Big Ten Network

MLB Channel

NFL Network

Cooking Channel

Independent Film Channel (IFC)

Fuse

TV One

Regional Sports  Networks (YES Network, Altitude, Fox Sports Net, etc. -depends on your local market)

There aren’t a whole lot of channels eliminated, but the regular price on the package is $9 less per month compared to Choice.  The main hit comes to those looking for sports action, especially NFL and MLB action.  By eliminating the MLB Channel, the NFL Network, and the regional sports network option, DIRECTV can pass along the savings to the customer.

The DIRECTV Entertainment package will be discounted by $25 a month for new subscribers, from $54.99 to the previously mentioned $29.99 monthly price.  This includes one receiver, and additional boxes and DVR service will cost extra.  A two year agreement is also required for new customers.

Higher priced packages will receive greater discounts.   The Choice and Choice Xtra packages will offer $29 discounts during year one, and the Choice Ultimate and Premier bundles will be discounted $30 a month.  DIRECTV is also now offering a second year discount on all packages in 2012, which will give customers a $10 break, or $120 total during months 13 through 24 of their satellite contract.

Another DIRECTV rate hike will greet customers in the new year, as the nation’s largest satellite television company will hike prices on packages and their DVR service in about a month.

The 2012 DIRECTV price increase will take effect on February 9th, and notification began today, as many received e-mail notice of the action.  Customers will also see inserts in their January bill stating the exact details of the price hike.  So if you are a current DIRECTV customer, how much more can you expect to pay in 2012?

Most DIRECTV packages will go up increase by $3 to $5 each month.  Additionally, those with a DIRECTV DVR  will pay an extra buck a month, as the monthly rate will go up from $7 to $8.   Those who subscribe to premiums like HBO and Showtime will breath a sigh of relief, as movie channel pricing will stay the same in 2012.

Here are a few of the pricing details for next year:

DIRECTV Choice package goes from $60.99 to $63.99, a $3 price increase.

DIRECTV Choice Ultimate goes from $70.99 to $74.99, $4 higher.  This package does include a few Encore movie channels.

The DIRECTV Premier package goes from $114.99 to $119.99.  The $5 hike here is the highest of any package, but makes sense considering the package includes the most programming and more than 30 commercial free premium channels.

HD access will remain $10 a month, though many newer customers who utilize Auto Bill pay have this fee waived.  Whole Home DVR service will remain at $3, which is billed out separately from the DVR charge which will now be $8 monthly.

Legacy packages from DIRECTV like the Plus DVR, Plus HD DVR, Total Choice, and Total Choice Plus will all increase in price from $3 to $4 a month, but the most interesting development surrounds the Choice Xtra package.  Heavily promoted in most DIRECTV advertisements over the last several years, existing customers will have the package renamed the Choice Xtra Classic and will see the price rise from $65.99 to $68.99 a month.   DIRECTV is then going to roll out a new “Choice Xtra” package in the next month or so, offering it at the same $68.99 price point.   While the channel details are not yet available, expect the new “Choice Xtra” package to offer less than the current channel lineup, saving DIRECTV some money in programming costs.

In the DIRECTV notice to subscribers, reference was made to the increasing cost paid to content providers – those that own the stations like ESPN, CNN, and Fox.   From the rate hike notice:

This year, the programming costs we pay to owners of TV channels will increase about 10%, but we have chosen to adjust the prices our customers pay by an average of only 4%.

While programming costs are a large expense for DIRECTV, they do not constitute anywhere near the full operational expense incurred by the company.   The argument that “We are being nice to the customer by only raising rates by 4%, when only a portion of our business costs will rise 10%” comes off as condescending, especially with millions struggling to make ends meet in a down economy.

DIRECTV’s main competitor, DISH Network, promised to leave package pricing unchanged until 2013 in an announcement earlier this year.   Rates were hiked 9 and 12% respectively on low end packages, leaving room to leave rates unchanged until early 2013.

When people are shopping for an entertainment provider, they generally look at similar companies and decide which works best.  For example, Comcast and DIRECTV are two of the largest companies operating as video distributors today.   Most would simply compare DIRECTV vs Comcast and figure out which one meets their needs, hopefully at a good price.  But with millions of Americans now unemployed, some are looking for alternatives to traditional cable and satellite TV service.  Options like Netflix can fill the void in some cases, depending on your viewing habits.  In this article we will compare DIRECTV  vs Netflix, weighing some of the pros and cons of each service.

DIRECTV is of course the largest satellite TV company in America today, with more than 18 million subscribers from coast to coast.  Netflix is the leading DVD by mail service, and has introduced video streaming service to America in the last two years.  Though they have stumbled recently with a hefty price increase that outraged millions of subscribers, things have calmed down in recent weeks, as Netflix announced that they would not be separating their DVD by mail and streaming services as originally planned.  So which service meets your needs?

When comparing DIRECTV vs Netflix, its a good idea to thing about how you watch TV right now.  Do you enjoy watching pre-recorded content like movies and TV shows on your DVR?  Do you rent movies from Blockbuster or a kiosk like Redbox frequently?  Or do you love to channel surf?   Is there a sports fan in the home, someone who always loves to watch live action every weekend?  Evaluating your viewing habits beforehand will help you make the right decision when it comes to these two companies.

The monthly price is a top priority for many right now, as money continues to be tight for some Americans.  If saving money is your top priority, then Netflix is going to be a better option than DIRECTV.  Netflix offers a streaming only plan for $7.99 a month, which allows you to pick from thousands of movies at any time, all you need is compatible streaming device like a Blu ray player and a good high speed internet connection. The downside of this plan is the selection of movies.  While thousands of movies and shows are in the Netflix library, there have been barriers between major movie studios and the company which has resulted in poor selection when it comes to new releases.

Most will want to consider adding the Netflix DVD by mail program to the streaming product.  With this option, you get either one DVD by mail for $7.99 a month, or two DVDs at a time for $11.99 a month.  This is added to your $7.99 streaming price.  If you want even more DVDs by mail, you can get three at a time for $23.98 or four at a time for $29.98 a month, with streaming service included in these prices.  If you prefer Blu Ray movies rather than the standard DVD, you can add that for $2.00 a month to any plan.

A Netflix subscription is going to be very affordable when compared to DIRECTV satellite service, but it is only going to work for you if you have fairly specific viewing habits.  Those who love movies and TV shows in their seasonal formats can enjoy plenty of content without commercial interruptions.  But if you are someone who loves to channel surf, or needs to keep up on live events like sporting events or news, then DIRECTV is going to be the option for you.

DIRECTV satellite service requires a two year agreement from the outset, something you won’t worry about at all with Netflix.   Obviously you will want to be sure that you can fulfill your end of the deal before signing up with DIRECTV for the two year term.  If you are planning on moving in the next few years, you will want to be sure that your new location is satellite dish friendly, as the installer will need a clear view of the southern sky for your service to work properly.  If you aren’t sure that a two-year commitment will work for you right now, then Netflix or cable TV service will probably be your best alternative.

Once you know that you want to go with DIRECTV over Netflix, then its time to look at the package pricing.  The two most popular DIRECTV packages are the Choice and the Choice Xtra bundles, which are priced at $29.99 and $34.99 for the first year respectively.  The Choice package offers around 150 video and music channels, which the Choice Xtra bundle offers around 200 total.  Reviewing the DIRECTV channel lineup beforehand will give you an idea on which bundle works best for you.

These prices are promotional DIRECTV offers, and are heavily discounted for the first twelve months.  After the deal expires, you will have one year of regular pricing before your contract expires, so don’t be surprised at the higher bill in year number two.   Current pricing on the Choice Xtra package is $65.99 a month, so as you can tell you will be paying quite a bit more with DIRECTV compared to Netflix.

Who should go with DIRECTV instead of Netflix?  Sports fans are at the top of the list, as DIRECTV carries all of the major live sporting events on ESPN and local channels like FOX, CBS, and NBC.  Those who enjoy a live news will also benefit from cable channels like FOX News and CNN.  DIRECTV also is the home of the NFL Sunday Ticket, so if you love football then you will enjoy the action on satellite TV, provided you are willing to pay extra for it.

Movie fans will have to weigh DIRECTV carefully against Netflix.  You will be able to watch plenty of edited movie content on TBS, TNT and FX through DIRECTV.  But if you want uncut and unedited movies, you will pay extra for premium channels.  HBO, Starz, and Showtime are all options, but your monthly subscription cost will be from $10 to $15 depending on the number of premiums selected.

With so many video choices today, most can find something that will satisfy their entertainment needs at the right price.  For some, a combination of both DIRECTV and Netflix service might be the right solution to keep everyone satisfied with the right amount of content.

One of the perks of becoming a DIRECTV customer is the discounted rate that you receive for the first year.   Right now, current DIRECTV deals for new customers reduce your monthly bill by $31, but only if you claim your DIRECTV rebate.  How do you get this reduced rate on your DIRECTV subscription?

Like most companies, DIRECTV wants your e-mail address to market products and services.  They also want you to manage your bill online, as well as sign up for products this way as it reduces their costs.  So to create an incentive for the customer, they give you a $26 discount for one year if you submit your DIRECTV rebate via phone, but an extra $5 if you do it online.  For most DIRECTV users, permitting DIRECTV to market them via e-mail is worth the extra $5 a month, or $60 over the course of a year.

If you do not want DIRECTV to have your e-mail address for marketing purposes, you can submit your rebate by calling 1-866-678-9465 prior to your installation date, or 1-877-286-4808 after your installation has taken place.  The better option is to get it done beforehand, as you will start getting your rebate from the first bill cycle.  If you do it after your DIRECTV installation, then you may have a delay of 6 to 8 weeks before the bill credits start.

If you don’t mind signing up online with to get your DIRECTV rebate, simply click here and you will be able to register your account and start getting your discounted rate for the first year.  Taking advantage of the rebate will reduce the price on the Choice Xtra package from $65.99 a month down to $34.99, and the Premier package goes from $114.99 a month to $83.99 for one year.

The only other rebate offered currently is the DIRECTV referral program, which give you $100 off as a new customer, and $100 to the person that refers you to the service.  Here you have to follow the plan exactly as it is set out, otherwise both you and your friend will miss out on the $100 in bill credits which are applied in $10 increments for one year.

One reason to change your pay television provider is money.  Today, large providers like DISH Network, Xfinty and DIRECTV spend hundreds of millions each year on advertising in an attempt to lure in new subscribers.  A new subscriber is very valuable to these companies, bringing in a $1,000 or more in revenue each year that a customer remains a loyal customer.  For this reason, DIRECTV deals for new customers can save you hundreds over cable during the first year of service.

If you are considering a switch away from DISH Network or your local cable company like Time Warner, there are a couple of ways you can save money.  The first is simply by taking advantage of the new customer deals offered by DIRECTV, and dropping your current provider.  The other way to save money can involve a bit of your time, but may be well worth it for you.  Simply review the DIRECTV deals,  then call your current provider and tell them you are looking into switching providers.  Oftentimes, if you get the retention department they will be willing to offer you additional free programming for a period of time, or some sort of discount on your current package.  Generally, if you have been a customer for a longer period of time, greater discounts are offered to keep you happy.  But if you have made the decision to go ahead and switch to DIRECTV, what can you expect as a new customer?

Free installation is the first thing offered by DIRECTV, as they don’t want an upfront cost deterring someone from ordering service.  This is generally good for up to four TVs in your home, and they will both connect your sets and educate you on how their system works.  The free installation applies to standard situations, so if you have a custom request then the installer will review any costs with you before starting the job.

Free HD equipment is also included, with up to three high definition devices.  Right now, you can get the Whole Home DVR along with two additional HD receivers, which sets you up with DVR access in three rooms with no start up costs.  The DIRECTV Whole Home DVR (HR-24) can support up to 15 devices total in your house, but you will incur upfront charges for additional HD receivers.  In addition, it is important to remember that the DVRs and receivers provided by DIRECTV are technically leased, you do not own them and they have to be returned once you end service with the satellite provider.  Whole Home DVR service costs $10 a month, while a regular digital video recorder which works on one TV is $7 a month.

Another bonus for new customers with DIRECTV is the discount on programming each month.  Currently, if you subscribe to DIRECTV and agree to a two year contract you will get a monthly discount on programming for the first 12 months of service.  The current discount is $31 a month, so something like the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package is discounted down to $34.99 monthly from the regular price of $65.99 a month.  Customers who choose the DIRECTV Premier package can enjoy every channel offered for $83.99 a month for the first year.

One final DIRECTV deal for new customers is the free NFL Sunday Ticket offer, which just came out a month ago.  This football special is only available from DIRECTV, as they are still the exclusive provider for the Sunday Ticket package for at least the next three years.  Customers who go with the Choice Ultimate package or higher will get free access to the football package this year, provided the owners and players can reach an agreement soon.

One of the top reasons to go with your local cable company is the triple play package.  Instead of ordering satellite TV service from one provider, and then setting up your high speed internet and home phone line with another, you can simply order all of your services from one company.  This is the case with the Bright House triple play, which is availabe in dozens of major markets in the United States today.

With more than 2 million subscribers, Bright House is a medium sized player in the pay television marketplace.  Major makets where the Brighthouse triple play is available include Indianapolis, Detroit, Birmingham, as well as the Tampa and Orlando, Florida region.  BrightHouse is still closely aligned with Time Warner cable, as they previously were under the same ownership group.  So what factors should you investigate before ordering a Bright House triple play package?

First, you will want to compare Bright house packages and pricing against any competiors in your area.  Satellite TV is the main competition, though many in apartments and condos cannot order satellite service.  As mentioned earlier, if you go with a satellite television package, you may end up calling Bright House anyway for their Road runner internet service and possibly for home phone service as well.  Other triple play options could come in the form of an AT&T U-verse package or Verizon FiOS bundle depending on who the local phone company is in your area.

Now if you haven’t had service before, or if it has been a while, you probably will be able to take advantage of one of the BrightHouse deals for new customers.  Generally, these promotional offers get you into the triple play for one year at a greatly reduced price.  Here is one example of what you can get:

The Bright House Combo Plus triple play offered in the Indiapolis, Indiana area gives you everything for a starting price of $109.95 a month.   Bright House digital cable with more than 200 channels, Road Runner high speed internet (7 Mpbs service level) and unlimited digital phone are all included.  This package also includes free HD, anti-virus protection for your computer, unlimited local and long distance, no equipment to buy, and of course combined billing.

Additional charges to consider on top of the triple play package include DVR or HD DVR service, which run $7.95 and $9.95 each respectively, and are added to each room where you want a digital video recorder.  High definition channels are included, which is a plus.  Premiums like HBO and Showtime will of course cost extra each month, though there are deals from time to time that offer you free access to these channels for a few months if you are a new customer.

The big thing to watch out for with the Bright House triple play bundle is the price hike that happens after one year.  Generally, you will pay somewhere in the area of $150 to $170 a month depending on your service area once the regular price kicks in.  This can really strain your budget if you are used to the introductory BrightHouse pricing and then your promotion runs out.  In this game, customers who are willing to switch providers every few years can come out on top by taking advantage of various cable and satellite TV deals.

If you are looking to compare just the TV portion of the Bright House triple play, then here are a couple of articles to review.  While the channel lineups are not exactly the same, the digital cable package from BrightHouse compares closely to the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package, and the America’s Top 200 bundle from Dish Network.

One of the options for pay television service in millions of homes is Time Warner cable. The Time Warner triple play is an option that many consider as it bundles all of your communication services into one package with one billing statement. In this, we will look at the TWC triple play and compare it to alternatives like Dish Network and DIRECTV.

When you are looking at the different triple play packages from Time Warner, the most important thing to remember is that these are not the regular prices. When you sign up for a cable TV deal, there is generally a promotion for six months to a year. Some of the Time Warner deals extend your discount for as long as two years, thought you do have to commit to a contract to lock in your savings for that time frame.

Time Warner follows other cable companies in that you can get into a triple play package for around $100 a month.  The current Time Warner triple play bundles start at $99 for a package including Time Warner digital cable, Road runner high speed internet, and the digital home phone package. These are offered at the discounted price of $33 each if you are a new customer, or if you are an existing Time Warner cable customer but currently only subscribe to one service with them. For this price, lets take a look at what you get.

Time Warner’s digital cable package is fairly inclusive, with around 200 channels included as part of the deal. Local channels and popular cable networks like TNT, TBS, and ESPN are included as part of the bundle. HD channels are also included, though the number of channels will vary depending on your area.  The TWC TV package if comparable to something like the Dish Network America’s Top 200 package or the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package, both available through satellite TV. If you are into the premium movie channels, there is a special deal on these network as well for $33 a month.  For that price, you can get multiple feeds of HBO, Starz, Showtime, and Cinemax for one year.  Pricing for the Time Warner HD DVR is fairly high however, expect to pay $21.95 a month for this after any promotions end.

Next up in the TWC triple play is their Road Runner high speed internet service.  Road Runner standard delivers download speeds up to 10 Mbps while Road Runner Turbo offers you speeds up to 15 Mbps with Power Boost.  Either option is included with the current Time Warner offer so there really would not be a reason to select the lower speed.

The triple play bundle is finalized with the addition of Time Warner digital voice service.  Unlimited local and long distance calling is included, though international calling will be billed at the going per minute rates.  Time Warner does offer an international OnePrice package for $19.99 a month which includes 1,000 minutes of calling to landline phones in countries like India, Mexico, Great Britain, China, Russia, the Philippines, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Iran, Jamaica, Columbia, and Sri Lanka.  Check with Time Warner cable directly regarding the terms of this program and for rates to other countries.

Now as mentioned earlier, once the Time Warner specials expire the prices are going to go up after one year.  After that prepare for a bit of sticker shock as the normal Time Warner prices are much higher.  For example, the $99 triple play deal currently offered to new customers goes up to $189.70 in month 13, an increase of $90.70 per month.  So while the Time Warner triple play price is a good deal in the beginning, it is one of the more expensive options when comparing the regular price against competitors like Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse and DIRECTV.

As part of the recent name change on Dish Network packages, the Classic Gold 250 has gone by the wayside. In its place comes the America’s Top 250 package by Dish Network satellite TV. What can you expect if you are a new satellite subscriber and sign up for the America’s Top 250 bundle?

Not a lot has changed when compared to last year’s version of this package. The Classic Gold 250 bundle was the top package Dish Network offers with the exception of the America’s Everything package. The America’s Top 250 adopts the same channel lineup from the Classic Gold, and will offer you almost all of the basic cable channels, plus local programming in most of the United States. When compared to the America’s Top 200 package, the 250 adds in channels like Chiller, Fuel TV, the Tennis Channel, and the Hallmark Movie channel among others.

This Dish Network bundle will be priced at $62.99 a month for 2010, which is a very good price when compared to your typical digital cable lineup. With Comcast or Time Warner, you will pay in the area of $75 to $80 a month for a comparable channel lineup. If you are comparing to DIRECTV, then the Choice Xtra package is probably what you will want to compare to, and that is priced at $63.99 a month in 2010, but does not have as many channels.

If you are switching over to satellite TV from cable or some other provider, you can also get some discounts and freebies as a new customer. Dish TV offers a $15 savings per month for one year, meaning you will save $180 total on the America’s Top 250. There is a 24 month commitment, so you will be locked into regular prices for the second year, but can leave without penalty after that time. Additional incentives offered with this package include free Showtime and HBO for three months, as well as free installation and activation.

While this package does include quite a bit of content, one thing to keep in mind is that there aren’t any many premium movie channels included. There are a few Encore channels but not any Showtime, Starz or HBO channels unless you want to add them on as premiums. If you are interested in adding movie channels to the Top 250 package, the prices are as follows. HBO is $15.99 a month, Starz is $12.99, Cinemax is $12.99, Showtime is $12.99, and the Playboy channel is $15.99 a month. If you order multiple channels, you get a discount on more than one premium, with all 5 premiums offered for $50 a month.

Other charges you can expect with the Dish Network America’s Top 250 include $10 for access to 80 HD channels, and a $6 a month DVR fee if you have either a DVR or an HD DVR.

It is back to the future this year for DISH Network, as they are leaving their 2009 package names behind, and returning to the America’s Top series. No longer will they refer to their packages as the Bronze, Silver, and Gold, instead returning to numbers which reflect the approximate number of channels in the lineup. In this article, we will review a mid-tier package, the America’s Top 200.

The DISH Network America’s Top 200 package provides the subscriber quite a bit of content for the monthly fee. Overall, you and your family will enjoy more than 120 digital video channels, and more than 80 digital audio channels. Quite a few Sirius satellite radio stations are found in this package which are not found in the America’s Top 120.

One nice feature with looking at the Americas Top 200 for 2010 is that DISH Network has held the line on the package pricing. The normal DISH price for this package is $52.99 a month, and that price includes local channels and regional sports networks in your area. If you are considering DISH Network as a new subscriber, you can get a $15 a month reduction on that price, dropping it down to $37.99 a month for the first year of service.

To get an idea of all of the channels available in this bundle, check our Classic Silver 200 review for everything included.

As far as comparing the America’s Top 200 with DIRECTV, this package aligns most closely with the Choice Xtra package. That bundle from DIRECTV satellite includes around 200 channels total, and is regularly priced at $63.99 for 2010. Discounts for new customers drop that package into the same range as the America’s Top 200 for the first year, but you will pay more with DIRECTV starting in year two.

Additional offers on the DISH Network America’s Top 200 for 2010 include free HBO and Showtime for three months, free installation in four rooms, and 6 months free of the DISH Network service plan. If you want to continue with the DishHome protection plan after the six month promotion, is is $5.99 per month.

Additional fees to consider with this DISH Network package include HD access and digital video recorder charges. For $10 a month, you will get access to 55 full time HD channels with the America’s Top 200, as well as plenty of PPV high definition channels. If you want a DISH Network DVR, that will cost $6 a month for the first unit. While DISH Network did not raise package prices in 2010, they did add some hefty charges on additional DVR units, which can range from $10 to $17 a month depending on the unit you select. Be sure you have an accurate quote from either DISH Network or an authorized retailer if you need more than one DVR so there won’t be any surprises.

DIRECTV prices are going up, as customers will be receiving notice of a price increase in the weeks ahead.  Word of the latest price increase began leaking last week, and now we have official confirmation that if you are a DIRECTV customer, you’ll be paying a little more in 2010.

Of course the DIRECTV price hike shouldn’t be much of a surprise, typically cable and satellite providers raise rates around the beginning of each year.  Comcast rates increased already, and it looks like AT&T U-verse and Verizon Fios price increases are also on the horizon.  So how much more can you expect to pay if your are a DIRECTV subscriber?

Most DIRECTV packages will increase in price by $3 to $5 a month, or about 4% compared to 2009 rates.  Charges for DVR service will also rise, going from $5.99 to $7 a month.  No doubt DIRECTV has noticed cable providers charging upwards of $15 a month for DVR service and felt there was room to hike the fee without too much customer backlash.  DIRECTV prices will go up on February 9th, 2010 which is earlier than last year’s price increase.

If you are looking for specifics, here is a breakdown of how each DIRECTV bundle is currently priced, and how much it will cost in 2010 when the rate increase goes into effect.

The DIRECTV Choice package will move from $55.99 up to $58.99 a month, a $3 increase.

DIRECTV ChoiceXtra will also increase $3, from $60.99 to $63.99.

Plus DVR will move up $4 bucks a month to $69.99, from $65.99 previously.

The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR package will go up $4, from $75.99 to $79.99 a month.

The DIRECTV Premier package will rise jump $5, from $109.99 to $114.99 per month.

If you have been a subscriber for quite some time, you may have one of the legacy base packages, which you are allowed to keep as long as your account is in good standing. Here is a rundown of what these packages will cost under the new  pricing structure, including DIRECTV Spanish language packages.

BASIC $15.99/mo

BÁSICO $35.99/mo

DIRECTV LIMITED $27.99

FAMILIAR $51.99

FAMILIAR ULTRA $60.99

OPCIÓN ESPECIAL $35.99

OPCIÓN EXTRA $43.99

OPCIÓN EXTRA ESPECIAL® $52.99

OPCIÓN PREMIER® $108.99

OPCIÓN ULTRA ESPECIAL $54.99

OPTIMO MÁS PLUS DVR $53.99

PLUS DIRECTV $36.99

SELECT CHOICE $41.99

TOTAL CHOICE $57.49

TOTAL CHOICE LIMITED $48.99

TOTAL CHOICE PLUS $61.49

DIRECTV DVR Service fee $7.00 per month/per DVR

So is there any avoiding the DIRECTV price increase?  If you have subscribed recently, or are considering a new subscription with DIRECTV, you may be have locked in your price at the 2009 rate.  If that is the case, you will see the normal price for the remaining time on your 12 month price lock, and then a credit applied on your bill.  New subscribers can take advantage of the current DIRECTV deals out there, which right now offer up to $26 off per month for the first year of service.

Rumors of a Dish Network price increase for 2010 have also been circulating, though nothing official has come from the company yet.