DirecTV raising prices in February, dropping XM

On February 9th, DirecTV customers will not only see their XM music channels disappear, but their package prices increase.

Confirmed by Multichannel News blog The Satellite Dish, DirecTV base package prices will see increases of $3-5 per month.  The biggest jump will come to those subscribed to the Premiere Package, which jumps from $109 to $114.  Emails have started rolling out to customers this week notifying them of the change (a PDF copy of the message is on DirecTV's website).

The price increase falls on the same day that DirecTV dumps XM satellite music service for a service called SonicTap.  The blog speculates that the same drop may eventually occur on DISH Network which currently offers Sirius music service.

DirecTV successfully launched their most recent satellite, DirecTV 12, last night.  When made operational in the second quarter of 2010, it will give the satcaster 50% more HD capacity, which could allow them to reach 200 HD channels, though no commitments have been made for which channels may be coming, or when they might debut.

Source: 

Multichannel News