With 2025 on the rise, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Disney Plus are increasing their prices once again which means their millions of subscribers will now have to spend more to use the services. The steep increase in prices has made quite a few viewers ask themselves whether the value of these services is worth the ever-increasing subscription fee. Other factors include the new features being constantly introduced, and competition increasing the already expensive content.
The trend of increasing the subscription prices is affecting both old and new users and is now becoming commonplace with the most popular streaming platforms. Although most people are quick to point out that inflation and competition are the causes, it’s easy to see why consumers say otherwise.
Netflix
Among the many platforms, Netflix has made some of the most drastic changes. Business Insider notes, the company had its third price increase within two years in October 2023. The plan with advertisements now costs $6.99, while the ad-free standard plan costs $15.49 per month. In addition to the jaw-dropping $22.99 per month, Netflix now charges for the premium plan which boasts the highest video quality without interruptions The company has also begun to crack down on password sharing, forcing users to pay $8 dollars for each additional person outside the primary household.
YouTube TV
YouTube’s primary service package has also had steady price increases in recent years. Based on the information provided by Associated Press, while Youtube started with a base price of $35.00 a month in 2017, the new customers are now charged $82.99 a month; this recent change is in fact an increase from the $72.99 rate the company was previously using prior to the change. The company attributes “increasing content cost” to be the major justification for their price change. This claim is being repeated throughout the industry. As YouTube TV raises its prices, it finds itself in direct competition with other live TV streaming services, where Hulu + Live TV also put up their prices to $82.99 for the ad-based service. The trend of increasing rates in live stream services is driven by the increasing demand for package subscriptions which offer Disney+ and Hulu services together with other benefits.
Disney+ and Hulu
According to USA Today, Disney+ raised its subscription prices across various plans starting October 17, 2024, impacting both current and new subscribers. The basic Disney+ plan with ads increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, while the ad-free Disney+ plan rose from $13.99 to $15.99 monthly or from $139.99 to $159.99 annually. For those bundling Disney+ and Hulu, the ad-supported bundle price increased by $1 to $10.99, while the ad-free bundle remained at $19.99. ESPN+ saw a $1 price hike to $11.99 per month, and standalone Hulu increased to $9.99 monthly with ads or $18.99 without ads. Hulu + Live TV also saw increases, with the ad-supported plan rising from $76.99 to $82.99 monthly and the ad-free version climbing from $89.99 to $95.99. While Disney integrated Hulu into the Disney+ app for those subscribing to both services to simplify access earlier in 2024, the prices will continue to skyrocket as better “deals” are being provided.
Is the Cost Still Worth It?
For many consumers, these price increases are beginning to feel like a step too far. While the companies behind these services are arguing rising costs and the need for more investment in original content to justify the hikes, viewers are left questioning whether the value of these services still holds up. The addition of ads to previously ad-free services has also left many frustrated, especially when these platforms have previously promised a better user experience in exchange for higher fees. Senior Katherine Cho said, “The price rising sucks and I feel like the companies will keep raising prices until people completely stop using it. They are trying to make as much money as possible by stretching the max amount of money people are willing to pay.”
In addition, the crackdown on password sharing is viewed by many as a direct attempt to squeeze even more money from users who have traditionally shared subscriptions with friends and family. As these platforms continue to push for higher prices and more ads, viewers may soon find themselves wondering if the convenience of streaming is worth the ever-increasing price tag. Freshman Joy Kim shared,“These platforms should be accessible amongst families because we want to spend time together watching our favorite shows. Putting in more ads and even adding more subscription fees for additional members is ruining the purpose of having quality time that is supposed to be promised by the companies.”
As the competition for subscriber money intensifies, the pressure on streaming services to maintain user satisfaction and profitability remains high. However, with rising subscription fees and the declining value for consumers, the streaming boom could face new challenges in 2025 and beyond. For now, many are left weighing the costs of their favorite streaming services against the entertainment options available in the evolving media landscape.
