What is a broadcast tv surcharge?

A broadcast TV surcharge is an additional fee that some cable or satellite TV providers add to customers' bills to help cover the costs of providing local broadcast channels, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. These channels are typically available for free over-the-air, but cable and satellite providers must negotiate contracts with broadcasters to carry their signals.

The broadcast TV surcharge varies by provider and market, but it is usually in the range of $5 to $10 per month. The fee helps pay for the retransmission consent agreements that cable and satellite companies have to enter into with broadcasters in order to carry their content. These agreements can be expensive, especially for popular local channels, and the costs are typically passed on to customers through the surcharge.

Customers may not have a choice in paying the broadcast TV surcharge if they want access to local channels through their cable or satellite provider. The surcharge is not regulated by the government, so providers have the discretion to set the amount and increase it as needed to cover rising costs. Customers may be able to negotiate the surcharge with their provider or find alternative ways to access local broadcast channels, such as using an antenna or subscribing to a streaming service that offers local channels.