Man, I was used to the $1 or $2 increase per year for AT150/AT180 back 3 years ago but this $3/yr. increase (2006 and 2007) is getting ridiculous!
I mean, if you want to differentiate yourself from cable companies, increase the fee by a buck or two, but not 3! Charge extra for the HD RSN's if you have to, but don't make everyone pay a $3 increase per month! I can't think of any contract signings recently to make AT120/AT180 go up in price other than NFL Network (which is on AT60 and above and not just at AT120 and above), Lifetime Networks, CSTV, and ESPN U. Are they worth that much or are we subsidizing the cost of launching HD RSN's that are coming soon?
Comcast in my area are running good specials all year around with DirecTV not announcing any price increases yet. Plus what I like about DirecTV policy is that when they announce year-around savings, they normally grandfather the current rates during that (in this case, year-long) promo even if the sub subscribed the day before the rates are announced to go up!
I'd gladly give up the new CD channels to not raise my bill by that much.