You can call it what you want but when SiriusXM took away free streaming and kicked in all the fees it was a price increase.
You also can call it what you want.
Netflix didn't merge and promise anything. They made a business decision yes. SiriusXM made it seem like they were going to keep all prices the same.
Who did Verizon merge with when they touted how much less expensive LTE would be?
To get merger approval, all Sirius did was agree to freeze prices for 3-years. Did they actually agree to indefinitely absorb music royalty fees? The average cost for locals on Dish was what, $5. How long after "including" locals did Dish raise package prices? Did Dish actually absorb the cost of locals, or did they pass the cost on to the subscriber? I am inclined to believe its the latter.
I hope for your sake if they do merge and you being a rural subscriber you don't get screwed but I bet somewhere down the line you will.
I am no Dish worshiper. I realize that for corporations, money is what comes first. All I am saying is, if Dish & Directv wanted it bad enough, then they would most likely make the necessary accommodations to those who would be most affected by a merger in order to get approval.
And with Verizon... they came out in all their glory about LTE and how it will lower the cost of cell service. It may be irrelevant but that did happen. It's another big company that lied. Just like SiriusXM and I'm sure Dish/Direct will do.
I don't necessarily blame corporations for their greed. We consumers created them monsters, didn't we? We are gluttons for pay TV & tech (etc) and will pay through the nose for things we really don't need.