DISH Hikes TV Prices, Blaming Media Giants for the Squeeze

DISH Network is raising prices again for its satellite TV service, adding a $5 monthly fee to most of its core packages starting September 11, as first reported by Cord Cutters News. The company is pointing the finger at large media conglomerates for the increase, which it claims are demanding ever-higher fees for their channels.

• The same old song: In a notice on its website, DISH stated the price it pays for programming "continues to increase well above the pace of inflation." The company says these media giants force it to carry entire channel bundles and use threats of blackouts to enforce higher fees, leaving DISH to pass the costs along to customers.
• Your bill goes up: The price hike will push DISH's popular America’s Top 120 plan to $103 a month and its top-tier America’s Everything Pack to $153, plus fees. While the cost for local channels will remain the same, the increase hits a wide swath of the company's English-language offerings.
• The bottom line: The move puts a spotlight on the classic bind facing traditional TV providers: pay the ever-increasing fees from content owners or risk losing channels and subscribers. For consumers, it’s another nudge to consider ditching traditional TV for cheaper streaming alternatives.

To soften the blow, DISH is promoting value-adds like its BonusView feature, which offers free channels. The company is also trying to keep users from switching inputs by integrating streaming apps directly into its hardware with the Hopper Plus. And for non-residential customers, DISH Business accounts are handled separately from these consumer price changes.