Death, taxes, and the ever-increasing costs of streaming services seem to be the new certainties in life. Netflix has consistently raised its subscription prices over recent years. Similarly, Disney Plus, Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock — virtually every service — costs more than a few years back, with many introducing ads. As the rapid pace of cable cancellations surpasses expectations, studios and distributors seek to recuperate lost revenue. Demand for quality shows, live sports, and movies has never been higher, making them pricier.
In the past decade, companies freely spent as they prioritized subscriber growth, but now focus on boosting profitability. Strategies include cracking down on password sharing, canceling shows for tax advantages, and selling premium content to rivals. However, the simplest approach remains increasing subscription fees for consumers.
We are monitoring price hikes and changes among streaming services so you can decide on your subscriptions. We’ll also note discounts, though these are becoming rarer. Here’s the latest:
Netflix prices have just increased, with the ad-supported plan now $8.99/month (up from $7.99). The standard plan rises from $17.99 to $19.99/month, and the premium plan from $24.99 to $26.99/month.
From April 10th, Amazon’s ad-free Prime Video will cost $4.99/month, renamed to Ultra. This tier will exclusively offer 4K/UHD streaming, removing this feature from standard Prime subscribers unless they upgrade.
Crunchyroll is raising prices internationally, marking the first increase for its lowest tier since 2019.
Paramount Plus will increase US subscription costs on January 15, 2026, with prices for the Essential and Premium plans rising by $1 each.
NBCUniversal is upping Peacock prices, with the ad-supported plan at $10.99/month and ad-free at $16.99/month.
Max is tackling password sharing by adding a $7.99/month Extra Member option, allowing subscribers to add someone outside their household to their account.
Plex is hiking its Plex Pass from $4.99 to $6.99/month, with similar increases for its annual and lifetime plans.
Max opts not to charge extra for CNN Max and Bleacher Report sports add-ons, but access will be limited to their Standard and Premium tiers starting March 30, 2026.
Amazon has increased Music Unlimited prices in the US, Canada, and the UK, affecting both Prime and non-Prime members.
Fubo has raised the price of its streaming plans by $5 each due to increased costs from programming partners.
Discovery Plus will raise its ad-supported plan by $1 to $5.99/month and its ad-free plan to $9.99/month.
YouTube has raised its monthly subscription in the US to $82.99, with some subscribers attempting to retain their old rate through cancellation attempts.
YouTube Premium subscribers outside the US report price increases in multiple regions, affecting both individual and family plans.
Disney Plus will enforce a password-sharing crackdown in September, stopping sharing outside households while continuing to roll out price increases for its services.
As prices rise, Roku introduces “Howdy,” a new ad-free service for $2.99/month, offering a catalog from various studios.
Apple TV Plus increases its price to $12.99/month for new subscribers immediately, existing ones in 30 days.
Sling TV raises the price of its packages due to unspecified rising costs, starting in December.
Amazon shifts its focus to more live sports on Prime Video for profitability, betting on sports to attract audiences better than new shows.