Streaming Services That Already Raised Prices

Several major streaming services have already raised their subscription prices in 2024 and 2025, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+. These increases typically range from $1 to $3 per month depending on the plan, and they reflect higher content costs, increased investment in live programming, and a broader industry shift toward profitability over subscriber growth.

Formula

The calculator works out the new monthly price after a percentage increase. The formula is:

New Price = Old Price × (1 + Percentage Increase / 100)

Where:

• Old Price (USD) is the monthly subscription cost before the increase.
• Percentage Increase (%) is the announced rate of increase (e.g., 10 for a 10% rise).
• New Price (USD) is the monthly cost after the increase.
• Increase per Month (USD) is the absolute dollar difference.
• Extra Cost per Year (USD) is the annualized increase.

Worked Example

Using the defaults: old price = $15.49 (a typical Netflix premium plan), increase = 10%.

1. Convert the percentage to a decimal: 10 / 100 = 0.10
2. Add 1: 1 + 0.10 = 1.10
3. Multiply by the old price: 15.49 × 1.10 = 17.039
4. Round to two decimals: $17.04

The monthly increase is $1.55, and the yearly extra cost is $18.60.

Which Services Have Raised Prices?

Here is a snapshot of recent price increases (as of early 2025). These are list prices for ad-free individual plans unless noted; regional variations apply.

• Netflix: In October 2024, the Standard plan went from $15.49 to $17.99, and the Premium plan from $22.99 to $24.99. The ad-supported plan stayed at $6.99.
• Disney+: In October 2024, the ad-free plan rose from $13.99 to $15.99. The ad-supported plan remained at $7.99.
• Hulu: In October 2024, the ad-free plan went from $17.99 to $18.99 (bundled with Disney+). Standalone Hulu ad-free rose from $17.99 to $18.99.
• Max: In January 2025, the ad-free plan increased from $16.99 to $17.99, and the Ultimate plan from $20.99 to $21.99.
• Peacock: In July 2024, Premium went from $5.99 to $7.99, and Premium Plus from $11.99 to $13.99.
• Paramount+: In August 2024, Essential rose from $5.99 to $7.99, and Paramount+ with Showtime from $11.99 to $12.99.
• Apple TV+: In October 2024, the price went from $9.99 to $12.99 (a 30% jump).
• Spotify (music, not video): Premium Individual went from $10.99 to $11.99 in June 2024 (included as a comparison).

Why Are Prices Going Up?

The main drivers are:

• Content costs: Studios are spending billions on original series, live sports (NFL, NBA, MLB), and film licensing. For example, Netflix’s live NFL Christmas games in 2024 reportedly cost around $150 million.
• Debt and profitability: After years of heavy investment, streaming services are under pressure to show profits. Raising prices is the quickest way to improve margins.
• Password-sharing crackdowns: Netflix and Disney+ have limited account sharing, pushing former freeloaders to pay for their own subscriptions. This allows services to raise prices without losing as many subscribers.
• Inflation and production costs: Higher wages, special effects, and marketing all contribute to rising budgets.
• Bundling and advertising: Services are also introducing cheaper ad-supported tiers to keep price-sensitive customers while raising the price of ad-free plans.

How to Compare Streaming Costs

When choosing a service, consider the actual content you watch, not just the headline price. A service that costs $20/month but has 10 shows you love is better value than a $10 service with only one. Also consider:

• Ad-free vs. ad-supported: Ad tiers are $5–$10 cheaper but show commercials. If you hate ads, the higher price may be worth it.
• Bundles: Disney+, Hulu, and Max offer combined plans that can save money if you want multiple services.
• Annual plans: Many services give a discount (often 15–20%) if you pay for a year upfront. This can lock in the current price before future increases.
• Free trials and promos: Some services offer discounts for students, military, or through mobile carriers (e.g., Verizon or T-Mobile).

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

• Thinking the old price is still available: Price increases apply to new subscribers immediately, but existing subscribers usually get a grace period (often 1–2 months) before the new rate kicks in.
• Ignoring taxes and fees: Some services add sales tax or other charges on top of the listed price. The final bill may be higher than advertised.
• Assuming all plans rise equally: Often only the ad-free or premium tiers go up. The ad-supported tier may stay the same to attract budget-conscious users.
• Forgetting to cancel auto-renew: If you don’t want to pay the new price, you must cancel before the next billing cycle. Many services make it easy online, but you have to remember.
• Believing that “grandfathered” prices last forever: Some services promise to keep your old rate for a limited time, but that is not permanent. Eventually, they will raise it too.

How to Decide Whether to Keep or Cancel

Ask yourself:

• How many hours per week do I actually watch this service?
• Is the content library fresh? Are new episodes released regularly?
• Can I get the same content elsewhere (e.g., a bundle, a friend’s account, or a cheaper ad tier)?
• Does the service offer a free tier or a cheaper annual plan?

If you watch less than a few hours a month, consider canceling and rotating services monthly. That way you only pay for the service you actually use that month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will prices keep going up every year?

Most analysts expect continued annual increases for the next few years, especially for ad-free tiers. The industry is still trying to reach profitability, and price hikes are the most direct lever. However, competition from ad-supported tiers and free services (like Pluto TV or Tubi) may limit how high prices can go.

Is it cheaper to bundle or subscribe separately?

Bundling is almost always cheaper if you want multiple services. For example, the Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads costs about $10.99/month, while buying them separately would cost $7.99 + $7.99 = $15.98. The savings are even larger for the ad-free bundle.

Do price increases apply to existing subscribers?

Yes, but usually not immediately. Services typically notify existing customers 30–60 days in advance, and the new price takes effect on the next billing cycle after that notice. Some services offer a grace period where you can keep the old price for a few extra months if you prepay.

Can I avoid price increases by switching to an ad-supported plan?

Yes, in most cases. Ad-supported plans are significantly cheaper and often have not been increased as much. For example, Netflix’s ad tier stayed at $6.99 while the ad-free plans rose. The trade-off is that you have to watch commercials, and some shows may not be available on the ad tier due to licensing restrictions.

What is the cheapest way to watch a specific show?

Check if the show is on a free ad-supported service (like Pluto TV or Tubi) or a free trial. If not, compare the cost of subscribing to the specific service versus buying the season on a platform like Amazon or Apple. Sometimes buying a season pass is cheaper than paying for a full year of a streaming service.

Are there any ways to lock in a lower price?

Yes. Many services offer discounted annual plans (e.g., Peacock Premium for $79.99/year instead of $7.99/month, saving about 17%). Also, some mobile carriers or internet providers include streaming subscriptions as perks. Finally, you can sometimes get a discount by signing up through a third-party retailer (like Best Buy or Walmart) that offers a prepaid card.

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in t | Old monthly price ($) | USD | 15.49 | 0 | 1000
in p | Price increase (%) | % | 10 | 0 | 1000
out new | New monthly price | USD | t * (1 + p/100) | 2
out diff | Increase per month | USD | t * p/100 | 2
out year | Extra cost per year | USD | t * p/100 * 12 | 2