What are Xfinity’s hidden costs?
There are costs involved in bringing you Xfinity’s hundreds of channels and thousands of on-demand titles, but the only price most customers consider is the advertised package price—unless they happen to read the fine print. As a result, Xfinity’s TV and internet hidden costs can be quite a shock when you get that first bill.
Xfinity fees can add up. To help you avoid any surprises on your upcoming Xfinity bill, we’ll explain each hidden fee and why you might see these additional charges.
Why is my Xfinity TV bill so high?
We’re gonna tell you all about Xfinity’s hidden fees—but here’s a table so you can see the fees at a glance before we go deeper.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Broadcast TV fee | Up to $27.25/mo. |
| Regional sports fee | Up to $17.25/mo. |
| Professional installation | $100.00 |
| Self-installation kit | Up to $39.99 |
| Reactivation fee | $6.00 |
| DVR service fee | 150 hours for $10.00/mo. |
| HD technology fee | $9.95/mo. |
| Additional TV service per TV | $8.50/mo. ea. |
| Late payment fee | $10.00 |
Data as of post date and subject to change. Some fees vary by region.
Xfinity add-on channels
Xfinity allows you to add premium channels and specialty channels to your cable package of choice for an additional fee. Keep in mind that these fees are in addition to your regular cable package and that certain Xfinity TV plans include some of these channels. For a full list of Xfinity premium channels and on-demand add-ons, see our Xfinity channel lineup guide.
Wondering which of these are actually worth the extra cash? Our 2024 streaming review has the run-down.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Max® | $15.99/mo. |
| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® | $12.00/mo. |
| CINEMAX® | $12.00/mo. |
| STARZ® | $9.99/mo. |
| MGM+™ | $5.99/mo. |
| THE MOVIE CHANNEL (TMC) | $12.00/mo. |
Data as of post date and subject to change. Some fees vary by region.
Xfinity TV prices increase by up to $30/mo. after promo period
Like most providers, Xfinity offers limited-time promotional pricing when you sign up for a new package. Prices change occasionally and vary by region, and you can head over to our Xfinity TV review for a full list. Keep in mind, though, that Xfinity prices are guaranteed only for the first 12 months. Then Xfinity will switch you over to what it calls its “regular rate.”
The increased amount varies depending on your package and where you live, but it’s usually $20–$30 per month. The specific increase for each plan can be found in the offer terms when you sign up.
You may not be doomed to pay Xfinity’s new price after 12 months, though. Rachel had luck contacting Xfinity about a price increase and saved cash with a new yearlong contract. It’s worth reaching out to Xfinity to see if you can get a new deal after your promo period ends.
Xfinity broadcast TV fees, taxes, and more depend on your region and package
One hidden cost that’s usually mentioned only in the fine print is taxes. Exactly how much you’ll be on the hook for depends on the plan you choose and where you live. It’s not usually a hefty fee, but it’s annoying to see on your bill if you weren’t expecting it.
Regulatory fees are another couple-dollar fee you’re likely to see at the bottom of your bill. These stem from federally mandated fees on the provider, and to help recoup the costs, Xfinity passes a portion on to you. Xfinity, sometimes sharing is not caring.
You may also have to pay various service fees associated with different programming packages. Depending on the channels and services you order, you may see charges each month for broadcast TV fees, regional sports network fees, and more.
The Xfinity TV installation fee is typically $100, plus kit fee and priority shipping
Xfinity typically charges an $100.00 installation fee for a professional installation. The provider also offers a self-installation kit for $15.00. If you want priority shipping, you’ll have to pay $29.95.
You can also pay $39.99 for Self-Install Plus, which will have an Xfinity technician come by to check your home’s exterior connection and coordinate your self-installation. Lastly, if you turn your service off for any reason, Xfinity charges a $6.00 reactivation fee to turn it back on. Learn more about Xfinity installation by visiting our installation guide.
Xfinity TV equipment fees are $17.45 monthly, plus an optional $10 DVR storage fee
Xfinity’s charges $8.50 monthly for its X1 DVR system. Plus, it tacks on a mandatory $9.95 per month HD technology fee and an optional $10.00 per month for 150 hours of storage.
Of course, you could just go with the included TV box and pay nothing extra. But you won’t be able to record shows, or even watch in HD. And if you want to add TV service to other rooms, that’s another $8.50 per month, per TV.
Check out our Xfinity equipment review to learn more about these devices.
Xfinity TV late payment fee is $10 per missed payment
Xfinity gives you up to a two-week grace period before cutting off service, but a $10 late fee goes into effect as soon as you miss a payment. If you’re in a pinch, it’s worth calling Xfinity to see if you can get an extended grace period.
Xfinity TV cancellation and early termination fees vary by area and plan
If you are looking to cancel, move, transfer, or pause Xfinity service we have all the details you’ll need in our Xfinity cancellation guide. The truth is, Xfinity is very vague about cancellation and early termination fees (ETF), and you’ll need to call Xfinity to learn what yours will be. Xfinity offers both contract and no-contract packages, so not every customer will be subject to ETFs.
If you have a contract or service agreement and cancel it early, you’ll pay an early termination fee. The exact amount of the ETF is pro-rated based on how much of your contract remains.
You can avoid ETFs by going with a no-contract—or no-term agreement—package. But because those are about $20 more per month than contracted plans, there’s still a cost here. Talk with your Xfinity agent to decide what deal will work best for your situation.
Why is my Xfinity internet bill so high?
Have a look at this table of hidden Xfinity internet fees, then we’ll explain ’em.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Professional installation | $100.00 |
| Self-installation kit | $15.00 |
| Reactivation fee | $6.00 |
| Late payment fee | $10.00 |
| xFi Gateway | $14.00/mo. |
| Data overage fee | $10 per 50 GB (up to $100.00/mo.) |
Data as of post date and subject to change. Some fees vary by region.
Xfinity internet prices increase by up to $30/mo. after promo period
The price increase following the promo period depends on which Xfinity internet plan you choose. Generally, increases are similar to those for TV—about $15–$30 per month.
Xfinity internet taxes, regulatory fees, and more vary by area and package
Unlike TV packages, Xfinity internet packages don’t usually come with taxes and other superfluous surcharges. In general, the Internet Tax Freedom Act doesn’t allow federal, state, or local governments to charge taxes on internet service.
If you bundle your internet service with TV, though, your bill will still include TV taxes and regulatory fees.
Xfinity internet installation fees are typically $100.00 or $15.00 for self-installation kit
Amount: $100.00 for professional installation, $15.00 for self-installation kit
Xfinity pushes its self-install kit for internet service, which costs $15.00—or $29.95 with priority shipping.
If you need professional help, the fee is the same as it is for TV: $100.00. (But depending on the time of year, Xfinity may waive installation fees as part of a sign-up promotion.) The good news is that if you bundle both TV and internet, you’ll pay only one installation fee.
In some areas, specific bundles may even include professional installation at no extra cost, but that varies too much for us to nail down. Ask your agent when you sign up to find out for sure. Check out our Xfinity installation guide for more information on installation.
Xfinity charges up to $14 monthly for its xFi Gateway modem/router
With your internet plan, you can use your own modem and router. (Find the perfect ones for you with our list of compatible modems and guide to the fastest routers.) But if you want to go with Xfinity’s modem/router, the xFi Gateway, you’ll pay up to $14 per month.
If you’d rather not pay for how much Xfinity charges for its modem, Xfinity has been known to include a modem/router or discount the xFi Gateway when paired with some more expensive packages.
Xfinity internet charges $10 late fees per missed payment
As noted in the TV section above, Xfinity customers are subject to a $10 late fee for missed payments. The fee is immediate upon missing a payment, but Xfinity gives you two weeks to pay before cutting off your service.
If you hit a rough spot and know in advance that your payment will be late (we’ve all been there), you can call ahead to possibly adjust the due date.
Xfinity internet cancellation and early termination fees vary by area and plan
If you choose a package with a contract, you’ll be subject to early termination fees when you cancel your service early. As with Xfinity TV, the exact fees vary, but they reflect the remaining time in your contract. The cost of cancelling 10 months early will be much higher than cancelling only two months early, for example.
Personal cancellation experience: This is Rachel—your favorite writer—here to talk about my own experience with cancelling Xfinity early. I thought I was going to be living in my condo for a while longer, so I signed up for a tremendous two-year deal with Xfinity.
But then I decided to move, and I wasn’t sure I could get Xfinity in my new place. So I called customer service and found out that the cancellation fee for my internet contract would be $120—that’s $10 per remaining month. If I waited a month, it would go down to $110.
I can’t guarantee everyone’s Xfinity cancellation fee will be $10 per remaining month since Xfinity doesn’t expressly list this amount. But that sure is a bunch of money, and I’m glad I don’t have to pay it—I’ll be moving somewhere with Xfinity coverage, so I can take my plan with me.
Xfinity charges a data overage fee of $10 per 50 GB block
Most internet plans come with a 1.2 TB data cap. That means you can use up to 1.2 TB of data each month, after which you’ll pay $10 for every 50 GB block of data over the cap—even if you don’t use the whole block. Xfinity caps the overage fees at $200, but that’s still a ton of money.
Most people will probably never reach the data cap—1.2 TB is a good bit of data. Still, heavy downloaders or streamers who are afraid of running into these overage charges should consider buying the $50 add-on for unlimited data or springing for the unlimited Gigabit Pro package.
Xfinity fees and hidden costs FAQ
Why is my Xfinity bill so high?
Like a lot of internet and TV providers, Xfinity includes a lot of fees with your monthly bills, including equipment fees and data overages. Want to keep your contract after a year? You’ll be met with a price hike. Want to cancel service? You’ll be charged a fee per month remaining on your contract.
The best thing you can do is educate yourself on where these costs are coming from so you can make the most of your money. Our hidden fees guide will help you get started.
What is the entertainment fee on my Xfinity bill?
The Entertainment Package, included with some Xfinity plans, is a bundle of 20 channels including AMC, Comedy Central, and Syfy. For a full list of channels included with Xfinity’s plans, head over to our Xfinity channel guide.
What is a DVR service charge on Xfinity?
Xfinity’s DVR setup is complicated. It charges a monthly fee (around $8.50 per month) to rent out a physical DVR box, as well as another optional monthly fee for DVR cloud storage. This often comes at $10.00 per month for 150 hours, but there are often other options based on your plan and location. For more information on this process, check out our Xfinity X1 review.
