Xfinity bumping NESN, NBC Sports Boston to pricier cable tier starting next week

[Fenway]

Xfinity just dropped the bomb in New England

More green for the games: Xfinity bumping NESN, NBC Sports Boston to pricier cable tier starting next week​

Xfinity reached agreements with NESN, NBC Sports Boston to move the channels from its Popular TV package to its Ultimate TV level of service.
www.boston.com

Subscribers to Xfinity’s basic cable television package in New England are going to need to change their game plan if they want to keep watching the Celtics and Bruins.

Comcast — Xfinity’s parent company — has reached agreements with NESN and NBC Sports Boston to move the channels from its Popular TV (or basic) package to its Ultimate TV (or premium) level of service beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The shift means a $20 price bump per month in order to watch Celtics games on NBC Sports Boston, plus Bruins, Fleet, and (come spring) Red Sox games on NESN. Xfinity lists the Popular and Ultimate TV tiers at $60 and $80, respectively, but that excludes approximately $49 in monthly broadcast fees. (The exact figure varies slightly by state.)

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[NextBigThing]

Bruins ratings are already in the gutter this season. Boston just isn't the hockey market it was the past generations. B's are a distant #4 in New England right now.

 

[Spydey629]

Surprised it took this long. Comcast has bumped RSNs to their highest priced tier in any other market I could think of.

 

[ColinM]

I'm curious if this is a double edge sword though. How many people will look at this and and ask themselves if it is worth streaming the games / networks.

Something that the article doesn't mention is the impact on bundles. What will the cost be if you are still getting internet from Xfinity.

 

[LadyStanley]

Also Bay Area sports channels. E.g., San Jose Sharks fans impacted. (And Warriors, Giants)