The average American household pays about $100 a month for television service, and a good portion of that bill is the broadcast TV fee. This fee can be anywhere from $5 to $15, depending on your provider, and it’s simply an arbitrary charge for being able to watch local channels. If you’re someone who never watches broadcast TV or only does so sporadically, this fee can seem like a waste of money.
Luckily, there are ways to get rid of it.
If you’re like most people, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your cable TV provider. You love having access to all of your favorite shows and movies, but you hate the high monthly bill that comes along with it. Well, there’s good news!
There are now ways to get rid of that pesky broadcast TV fee once and for all.
There are a few different options available to you. One is to simply cancel your cable TV service and switch to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
This will save you a lot of money each month, and you’ll still be able to watch all of your favorite shows (and maybe even discover some new ones).
Another option is to keep your cable TV service but ditch the expensive channels that you never watch. This can be done by either downgrading your package or getting a la carte channels through a service like Sling TV.
Again, this will save you money each month while still giving you access to the channels that you actually want to watch.
Finally, if neither of those options is right for you, there’s always the option of negotiating with your cable company. Believe it or not, they may be willing to lower your monthly bill if you threaten to cancel your service otherwise.
It’s definitely worth a shot!
So there you have it – three ways to get rid of that pesky broadcast TV fee once and for all. Which one will YOU choose?
How Do I Get Rid of Comcast Broadcast TV Fee?
If you’re a Comcast customer, you may have noticed a new line item on your bill for “Broadcast TV Fee.” This fee is actually a pass-through charge from Comcast to its customers. In other words, it’s not something that Comcast is pocketing as pure profit.
The Broadcast TV Fee covers the cost of carrying local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. These channels are “must-carry” for cable and satellite companies under federal law. And because they’re so popular with viewers, they tend to be some of the most expensive channels for providers to carry.
So why did Comcast decide to start charging its customers a Broadcast TV Fee? The simple answer is that the company wants to be more transparent about the costs it incurs in providing service. By itemizing the fee on customers’ bills, Comcast hopes to give people a better sense of what they’re actually paying for when they subscribe to its cable TV service.
Of course, some customers may not be happy about this new fee. But it’s important to remember that you can always choose to watch broadcast TV for free using an antenna (assuming you live within range of your local station’s signal). If you don’t want to pay the Broadcast TV Fee but still want access to cable channels, you can always subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu instead.
Why is Comcast Charging Me a Broadcast TV Fee?
Comcast is a national cable and internet service provider. In some areas, they also provide local broadcast channels. To get these channels, Comcast pays what’s called a “carriage fee” to the station.
They then charge their customers a monthly “broadcast TV fee” to help cover these costs.
The broadcast TV fee is not a new charge. Comcast began charging it in 2013, but the fee has been generally well-hidden on customer bills.
Many people only noticed it when their bill went up suddenly this year.
The increase in the broadcast TV fee is due to two things: first, Comcast has been losing customers who are cutting the cord and moving to streaming services like Netflix; and second, the cost of carriage fees has gone up significantly in recent years.
Comcast isn’t the only company that charges a broadcast TV fee – most other cable and satellite providers do as well.
However, Comcast’s fee is currently the highest at $13 per month (up from $9 last year). And if you have multiple TVs in your home, you’ll be charged for each one.
Some customers have complained that they don’t even watch local broadcasts anymore and wonder why they’re being charged for something they’re not using.
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to get rid of the broadcast TV fee – you either have to cancel your service entirely or switch to another provider that doesn’t charge it (which may not be an option in your area).
Does Directv Charge a Broadcast Fee?
Yes, DIRECTV charges a Broadcast Fee, which is currently $7.50/mo. This fee helps offset the costs associated with providing local channels to our customers.
Does Hulu Have a Broadcast TV Surcharge?
Broadcast TV surcharges are common among streaming services, and Hulu is no exception. If you want to add broadcast TV channels to your Hulu subscription, you’ll have to pay a little extra. The good news is that the surcharge isn’t too expensive, and it’s still cheaper than a traditional cable or satellite TV package.
The specific channels included in the broadcast TV surcharge vary depending on your location, but they typically include the major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. In some markets, you may also get regional sports networks and other local channels. The surcharge usually costs around $5-$10 per month.
If you’re interested in adding broadcast TV to your Hulu subscription, be sure to check out the channel lineup in your area before signing up. You can find this information on Hulu’s website or by contacting customer service.
Credit: upgradedhome.com
How to Get Rid of Broadcast TV Fee Xfinity?
If you’re an Xfinity customer, you may be wondering how to get rid of the Broadcast TV fee. While this fee is not optional, there are a few ways that you can reduce the amount you pay each month.
First, consider whether or not you actually need the channels that are included in your package.
If there are channels that you never watch, you can eliminate them from your package and save yourself some money.
Second, take advantage of any promotions or discounts that Xfinity may be offering. Sometimes, these can help to offset the cost of the Broadcast TV fee.
Finally, remember that you can always negotiate with Xfinity. If you feel like you’re paying too much for your service, reach out to customer service and see if they’re willing to work with you on a better price.
Spectrum Broadcast TV Surcharge Lawsuit
Broadcast TV Surcharge Lawsuit: What You Need to Know
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you may have heard about a recent lawsuit filed against Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable). The suit alleges that Spectrum has been illegally charging its customers a “broadcast TV surcharge” of $3.50 per month.
This surcharge is in addition to the standard monthly fee for cable service.
The lawsuit was filed by two former Spectrum customers, who claim that they were never informed of this surcharge until they received their first bill. They allege that Spectrum engaged in false and misleading advertising by not disclosing the existence of this surcharge.
If you’re a current Spectrum customer, you may be wondering if you’re affected by this lawsuit. Here’s what you need to know:
1. The broadcast TV surcharge is applied to all Spectrum customers nationwide.
2. If you live in New York, California, or Texas, you may be eligible for a refund of the surcharge if the lawsuit is successful.
3. The deadline to join the lawsuit is November 28th, 2017 .
Xfinity Broadcast TV Fees
Comcast’s Xfinity TV Broadcast Fee is a monthly surcharge the company imposes on customers who subscribe to its cable television service. The fee, which is not taxes and is thus not tax-deductible, currently amounts to $1.50 per month for most Comcast subscribers.
The Xfinity TV Broadcast Fee pays for the costs associated with retransmitting broadcast signals over Comcast’s network.
In other words, it helps cover the cost of licensing fees that Comcast pays to networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
Not all customers are charged the Xfinity TV Broadcast Fee. Those who subscribe to Comcast’s Internet-only service, for example, are not subject to the fee.
Nor are those who have opted out of receiving cable television altogether (known as “cord-cutters”).
The vast majority of Comcast customers, however, do pay the Xfinity TV Broadcast Fee each month – whether they realize it or not. That’s because the fee is buried in the fine print of customer bills.
For many people, it’s easy to overlook – especially since it’s only $1.50 per month.
Still, some consumers have raised objections to the Xfinity TV Broadcast Fee – especially given that it has increased significantly in recent years. In 2013, for instance, Comcast increased the fee from $0.75 per month to $1.50 per month – a 100% increase!
And there’s no telling how high it could go in future years if left unchecked..
Regional Sports Fee
A regional sports fee is a charge assessed by some cable and satellite providers in certain markets to cover the cost of broadcasting regional sports networks. The fee is typically around $5 per month, but can vary depending on the provider and market.
Regional sports fees are relatively new, having only been introduced in the last few years.
They’ve become increasingly common as the cost of broadcasting regional sports networks has gone up. Many providers argue that the fee is necessary to keep prices down for all customers, even those who don’t watch regional sports.
Critics of regional sports fees argue that they’re nothing more than a way for providers to pad their profits.
They also point out that not everyone watches regional sports, so it’s unfair to make everyone pay for something that they may not even use.
Whether or not you think regional sports fees are fair, it’s important to be aware of them if you live in a market where they’re charged. If you don’t want to pay the fee, you may be able to get your provider to waive it if you threaten to cancel your service.
Otherwise, you’ll just have to bite the bullet and pay up if you want to keep watching your favorite teams play.
How to Get Rid of Broadcast TV Fee Spectrum?
If you’re a Spectrum customer, you may have noticed a new fee on your bill for Broadcast TV. This is a common fee that’s charged by most cable and satellite providers, and it covers the cost of carrying local broadcast channels. While it’s not a huge amount – typically around $5 or less – it can add up if you’re already paying for other channels that you don’t watch.
There is good news, though: there’s a way to get rid of this fee entirely! All you need is an HD antenna. By connecting an antenna to your TV, you can receive local broadcast channels for free.
This will allow you to cancel your Spectrum TV service and save yourself some money each month.
Of course, setting up an antenna isn’t always as simple as it sounds. If you’re not sure where to start, our guide on how to set up an HDTV antenna will help get you started.
Once you’ve got everything set up, be sure to check out our list of the best free streaming services so that you can find something else to watch without having to pay for it!
Why am I Charged a Broadcast TV Surcharge?
If you’re a customer of a cable or satellite TV provider, you may have noticed a charge on your bill called the Broadcast TV Surcharge. This fee is charged by your TV provider in order to offset the cost of retransmitting broadcast TV signals. Here’s a closer look at why you’re being charged this fee, and how it benefits you as a viewer.
The vast majority of Americans receive their television programming via cable or satellite providers. In order to offer this service, these companies must negotiate contracts with broadcasters in order to gain the right to carry their channels. These negotiations can be quite costly, and the fees that broadcasters charge are typically passed on to customers in the form of the Broadcast TV Surcharge.
While some may view this surcharge as an unnecessary expense, it actually provides a number of benefits for viewers. First and foremost, it ensures that you have access to popular broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. Without these agreements in place, your cable or satellite company would not be able to offer these channels to you.
In addition, the Broadcast TV Surcharge also helps support local news programming. Many local stations rely heavily on revenue from these types of fees in order to produce high-quality news content that is important for keeping communities informed about what’s going on around them.
Broadcast TV Fee And Regional Sports Fee
Broadcast TV Fee: What is it? A monthly fee that supports the cost of our local broadcast stations.
It appears as a line item on your bill. How much is it? The Broadcast TV Fee is $9.45 per month and regional sports networks are an additional $4.49 per month.
What does it pay for? This helps cover the cost of our agreement with local broadcasters, which includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and other channels like Telemundo and Univision . We also use part of this fee to support ESPN , TNT , USA , TBS , CNN , HLN , Cartoon Network/Adult Swim , HGTV , Food Network , TLC
Why do I have to pay it? Local broadcast stations are free over the air but they can charge us for permission to carry their content. These fees help offset those charges so we can continue providing these channels to our customers.
Regional Sports Fee: What is it? A monthly fee that supports the cost of select regional sports networks (RSNs).
It appears as a line item on your bill. How much is it? The Regional Sports Fee is currently $4.49 per month .
What does it pay for? The vast majority of this fee goes towards supporting our agreements with RSNs like Fox Sports Southwest, Comcast SportsNet Houston, YES Network, Roots Sports Northwest, and more . We also use a small portion of this fee to support MLB Network and NHL Network . Why do I have to pay it? Many live sporting events are only available through RSNs because the leagues or teams have exclusive rights contracts with them. These fees help offset those costs so we can continue carrying these networks and providing access to live sporting events.
Do I Have to Pay Broadcast TV Surcharge?
Broadcast TV Surcharge is a monthly fee that allows you to receive local broadcast channels through your cable or satellite provider. The surcharge is usually $1-$2, depending on the provider. If you have an HDTV, you may be required to pay an additional HDTV Broadcast Fee in order to view local HD channels.
Conclusion
If you’re like most people, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your cable company. You love having access to all the channels and On Demand content, but you hate the high monthly fees. Well, there’s good news!
There are now ways to get rid of the Broadcast TV Fee without giving up your favorite shows.
One option is to use an antenna. Antennas are becoming more and more popular as a way to watch TV for free.
All you need is a good signal and you can get all your favorite network channels without paying a dime in monthly fees.
Another option is to sign up for a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. These services offer tons of great content at a fraction of the cost of cable.
And best of all, they don’t require a contract so you can cancel anytime.
So if you’re tired of shelling out money for cable every month, consider one of these alternatives and say goodbye to the Broadcast TV Fee for good!
