What is a broadcast fee?
According to TV providers, a broadcast TV fee, or broadcast surcharge, is what you pay for access to your local broadcast affiliates like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. We know what you’re thinkin’: Isn’t that why I pay for my TV plan every month? Well, you’d think so.
In this article, we’ll explain broadcast TV fees and tell you about providers that don’t charge these fees, like DIRECTV, Verizon Fios, and live TV streaming services.
Plus, we’ll explain the FCC’s mandate to get providers to start putting all their hidden fees (including broadcast TV) into their advertised monthly price—no sneaky tricks allowed.
Why am I charged a broadcast TV fee?
Cable TV providers claim that local broadcast TV stations charge exorbitant fees for the providers to air, or rebroadcast, programming from those stations. In turn, the TV providers say that they pass at least a portion of this cost on to the consumer. But really, broadcast TV fees are exactly what you suspect: TV providers squeezing more money from you.
How much are broadcast TV fees?
Broadcast TV fees vary depending on the provider, the region, and the local channels available in that region. In the comparison table below, you’ll see that, among top TV providers, broadcast TV surcharges range from $10–$32 per month.
| Provider | Advertised TV package prices | Broadcast TV fee | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astound | $48.37–$177.75/mo. | Up to $31.42/mo.† | View Plan |
| Cox | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | $32.00/mo. |
|
| DISH | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | $12.00/mo.* | View plans |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | No broadcast TV fees | View plans |
| Optimum | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | $9.99/mo. | View plans |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | Broadcast TV fees included |
|
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | No broadcast TV fees | View plans |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | Up to $27.25/mo.† |
|
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary with location and are subject to change.
* DISH calls it a local channels fee.
† Depends on package and/or region.
DIRECTV and Verizon Fios are the only TV providers that don’t charge a broadcast TV fee. DISH charges a “local channels” fee, but it’s the same thing.
When we say that TV providers pass a portion of what they pay local broadcasters, it’s because that’s the official word—from the providers. Since the fees are b.s., the “portion” thing is also dubious. Otherwise, we think there would be more uniformity in how much you end up paying.
Thanks to the FCC’s recent ruling that providers have to disclose their sneaky “junk fees,” some providers like Spectrum have jumped the gun and begun rolling out all-in pricing, showing (almost) all the hidden fees in their advertised monthly price.
Eventually, all providers will have to disclose all their fees upfront, so Spectrum is ahead of the curve. Soon (very soon—as in most providers will need to roll out all-in pricing by the end of 2024), all broadcast TV surcharges will be rolled into the price you see on a provider’s website for a TV plan. But that doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a broadcast TV charge added in to your final bill—it just won’t be itemized out.
So, you may think there’s still not much you can do about broadcast TV fees—or is there? We have some suggestions in an upcoming section.
How do I get rid of broadcast TV fees?
There are only a few ways to get rid of broadcast TV fees and other questionable fees from TV providers:
- Cancel your TV service: Poof—no more fees. But also no more TV service.
- Try an over-the-air (OTA) TV antenna: For a one-time payment starting at $30, OTA antennas pick up all of your local stations plus their subchannels. (But do the local broadcast TV stations charge fees to antenna manufacturers? Of course not.)
- Switch to streaming TV: Live TV streaming services have no broadcast (or other garbage) fees, and you’ll still have TV service (which may just be better than cable).
Broadcast TV Fees FAQ
Is the broadcast TV fee monthly?
Yes, broadcast TV fees are charged each month.
What is a broadcast TV fee on my Xfinity bill?
Your broadcast TV fee on your Xfinity bill is the charge for access to local channels like ABC and NBC. Xfinity’s broadcast TV fees typically run around $27.25 monthly, depending on what Xfinity region you live in.
Learn more about Xfinity’s other sneaky fees on our handy hidden fees guide.
Why you should trust us
Our TV experts research cable and satellite TV providers all day, every day so we can help you make informed buying decisions—and understand things like TV providers’ strange fees. For more information on our process, see our “How We Rank” page.
