After a year of high-profile disputes between television distributors and programmers, many customers will see higher satellite TV bills in 2013.
DirecTV' (DTV)customers' bills will rise by an average of 4.5% starting on Feb. 7, which company officials attributed to an 8% increase in programming costs. New customers paying a promotional price will not be affected.
Also citing rising programming costs, competing satellite provider Dish Network (DISH)said it will raise rates by as much as $15 a month on Jan. 17. Customers in their first year of service will be shielded from the hikes.
Some cable companies have also said they will raise rates this year; increases vary by region.
