

Earlier this month, New York state regulators gave their blessing to the pending $55 billion merger of Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications. What better way for TWC to celebrate than by jacking up rates for current cable and Internet customers in the Empire State?.

In a letter recently sent to customers, TWC said it’s raising monthly rates for many of its Internet and TV products, as well as hardware like set-top boxes and modems, reports the Albany Times Union.

“Changes in your bill are mainly driven by the increase we must pay to deliver your favorite channels,” the company wrote.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• TWC’s standard TV plan will increase from $76.99 a month to $78.99 a month

• TWC Sports Pass will go from $8.99 a month to $10 a month

• The cost of a Digital HD, DVR or HD DVR set-top box and remote is going to from $6.98 to $8.50 a month

• Basic and standard Internet services will be $49.99 a month and $59.99 a month, up from a monthly charge of $29.99 and $34.99, respectively

Even though TWC’s home state has now signed off on the merger, it still requires approval from the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. In 2015, both of these agencies shot down a deal that would have merged TWC with Comcast.

Time Warner Cable raises rates after NY approves merger [Albany Times Union]