DIRECTV this week alerted customers of its DIRECTV Stream service to an updated terms of service, bringing to light a new set of potential fees to cover regional sports network, service activation, and early termination with a two-year term commitment.
While the page isn’t new and DIRECTV does not plan to charge these fees or implement a contract structure, the page keeps the door open for the company to enact these changes. This page came to light over night as DIRECTV included a link to it in an email to customers about an updated terms of service page.
The changes if DIRECTV follows through would bring DIRECTV STREAM in line with DIRECTV satellite and DIRECTV via internet when it comes to fees and contracts. DIRECTV has not announced any changes, but these terms show it’s a distinct possibility. You can find these new terms and conditions on DIRECTV STREAM’s website HERE. It is unknown if this will only affect new customers or if older customers will also be hit with the RSN fee, for example.
This comes as the terms of service was also leaves the option to add a contract to DIRECTV STREAM open. “3.4 DIRECTV STREAM Term of Commitment and Early Termination Fee (“ETF”). The Subscription to the Service may have a 24-month term commitment for all new customers (“Term Commitment”). If You are within a Term Commitment and cancel Your Subscription to the Service before You have completed Your Term Commitment, You will be charged an ETF. We reserve the right to charge an ETF to the Payment Method You have on file with us. Depending on your acquisition date, the maximum ETF could be up to $480, prorated at $20 per month over 24 months. So, for example, a new customer who cancels their Subscription to the Service after 14 months would be charged an ETF of up to $200 (24-month Term Commitment minus 14 months = 10 months remaining x $20 per month).”
For now, nothing is changing, but the existence of pages saying DIRECTV STREAM will come with a contract and fees has left many unhappy about the possibility they will add them.
Here is a full copy of the new terms of service:
(Effective November 7, 2023, until replaced)
This Fee Schedule is part of the Terms of Service and End User License Agreement for DIRECTV STREAM (available at www.directv.com/stream-tose) and incorporates the DIRECTV STREAM Device Terms of Use (available at www.directv.com/stream-tos).
This Fee Schedule applies to DIRECTV STREAM subscriptions purchased with a 24-month term commitment. Unless otherwise specified, the DIRECTV STREAM monthly recurring and transactional Fees listed below are in addition to any monthly recurring charge due for your DIRECTV STREAM Service. This is not an exhaustive list; there may be additional fees that potentially apply to your DIRECTV STREAM Service. DIRECTV reserves the right to change these fees, increase or decrease these fees, or impose additional fees without notice (unless otherwise prohibited by law) by publishing an update to this Fee Schedule to www.directv.com/stream-fees).
The Fees listed below do not include applicable government taxes/fees, which vary by location. If you have questions about your bill, please call 855.298.5656.
Fee Schedule
| MONTHLY RECURRING SERVICE FEES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Amount | Description / When You Pay / Notes |
| Regional Sports Fee | Up to $15.99 | Fee applicable to programming packages that include regional sports. |
| TRANSACTIONAL FEES | ||
| Fee | Amount | Description / When You Pay / Notes |
| Early Termination Fee | $480 | If you terminate your Service prior to completing your 24-month term commitment with us (see Terms of Service and End User License Agreement for details). |
| Non-Return Fee | $120 | Applies to DIRECTV STREAM devices included with your subscription to the DIRECTV STREAM experience at no additional cost. If you do not return your device after (1) canceling service in accordance with our cancelation policy (click here for details) or (2) making a warranty claim (click here for details). |
| Activation Fee | $19.95 | One-time fee for activating the service. |