[Satellite TODAY 01-05-12] U.S. pay-TV operator DirecTV will raise its rates by an average of 4 percent beginning in February, the company confirmed Jan. 4.

   In a statement, DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said the new price hike, “reflects the increasing cost of programming and the significant investments we’ve made to enhance our customers’ viewing experience.”

   Sports programming services are responsible for 20 percent of daily U.S. satellite pay-TV viewership, but also account for about 50 percent of operator’s content costs. DirecTV holds the rights to the National Football League’s popular Sunday Ticket package.

   DirecTV competitor Dish Network froze its prices through January 2013 on primary programming packages as part of a previous price increase implemented last February, which raised its monthly rates by $3 to $5.