Telekom hikes prices: What MagentaTV customers now face
Know the feeling? You come home in the evening, settle down to catch up on your favourite MagentaTV show, and then it lands on the doormat: a letter from Telekom. Yet another price increase. Yes, you read that right. Just in time for April, the Bonn-based company is bumping up the monthly fees for countless existing customers. And it's not just your plain internet connection that's affected, but also your cherished TV add-on. As someone who's been around almost as long as the landline itself, I can only say: spring awakening at Telekom – unfortunately, it's happening in your wallet.
Five quid more – and that's just the start?
Specifically, we're talking about the MagentaZuhause tariffs (DSL and fibre). From 1 April 2026, many existing customers will see an extra fiver taken from their account each month. So, if you've bundled your internet contract with MagentaTV, you'll feel the pinch twice over. Telekom cites rising costs and network expansion as the reasons. Yes, sure – inflation hits the big Telekom HQ too, apparently. But it still stings. Particularly galling: if you recently treated yourself to a Telekom MagentaTV Stick or a Telekom Magenta TV Box Play, hoping that streaming kit would be a budget-friendly way to get by, you're now suddenly paying over the odds. The hardware doesn't change the base price, after all.
From Magenta TV (AT) to MAGENTA TV - CZ: Neighbours watching closely
Alright, this price hike initially only applies to German contracts. But we all know: what Telekom does in Germany often sets a precedent. The colleagues over in Austria, using their Magenta TV (AT) service, will certainly be watching developments closely. And even in the Czech Republic, where the provider trades as MAGENTA TV - CZ, people will be wondering: will we get this next year? Perhaps small comfort: if you're taking your German contract abroad, say as a cross-border commuter, you'll still be stung with the higher bill. Taking a detour via the Czech or Austrian version won't help you there.
So, what's to be done? Three options for affected customers
Before you angrily yank your MagentaTV Stick from the socket: take a deep breath. You have options. This price hike gives you a special right to terminate your contract. That means you can walk away if you don't want to pay the extra. However, you should first check if another provider actually works properly at your address. You don't want to end up with a cheaper provider but a sluggish connection.
- Grin and bear it: The easiest, but most expensive, solution. At least you avoid the hassle of cancelling and setting up a new connection.
- Use the special termination right and switch: If you're really fed up, you can use the deadline and move to another provider. Check comparison sites first – sometimes tempting new customer offers are available.
- Negotiate with Telekom: Sounds daft, but it often works. Call their customer service line and say you're thinking of cancelling. The retention team might then offer you a discount that at least cushions the increase.
Personally, I'd go for the third option. A phone call can't hurt, and in the worst-case scenario, you've just spent a few minutes on hold. By the way: if you only have a plain DSL connection without MagentaTV, you're still affected – that extra fiver gets added there too.
My two cents' worth: These April fools' tricks
It's almost becoming a tradition: Telekom puts prices up in spring, and we customers are left cursing. And MagentaTV itself is actually a decent offering – the integration of streaming services, the voice-controlled box, it all works smoothly. But the price shock for April could spoil the fun for many. My advice: maybe hold off on getting that Telekom MagentaTV Stick until after you've had a successful negotiation chat. Or, use this as an opportunity to consider whether you might prefer spending more time outdoors – at least until the next bill lands.