"Price Increases in Streaming Services: The Facts"

With the arrival of smartphones in our lives, uninterrupted streaming services have been touted as a new way to save money. However, as we approach 2025, the rapidly rising prices in these services, dubbed "streamflation," continue to strain families' entertainment budgets.

Since 2019, all major streaming platforms have increased their prices, with some doubling their initial monthly costs. The rising costs at the expense of entertainment are making users question whether this situation is truly worth it.

Here are seven major streaming services ranked by price increase:

Max raised its ad-free plan from $14.99 in May 2020 to $18.49 today, marking a %23 increase. The first price hike occurred in January 2023, with subsequent increases expected in June 2024 and October 2025. Meanwhile, the Premium tier is now priced at $22.99.

Netflix has raised its standard plan from $12.99 in 2019 to $17.99 today, a %38 increase. The Premium plan has increased from $15.99 to $24.99, representing a %56 hike, putting users at more financial risk.

Paramount+ increased its ad-free Premium tier from $9.99 in March 2021 to $13.99, showing a %40 increase. Similarly, Hulu raised its ad-free subscription plan from $7.99 in 2019 to $18.99, a %58 increase.

Peacock notably increased its price from $4.99 in 2020 to $10.99, a %120 increase, while Apple TV+ raised its plan from $4.99 in 2019 to $12.99, achieving a %160 increase.

Disney+ has risen from $6.99, when it launched in 2019, to $18.99, marking a staggering %172 increase. Due to continuously rising prices since 2021, users have had to pay an average of $132 more annually.

The total cost for subscriptions to these seven platforms starts at a minimum of $75.93, while fully ad-free options rise to $118.43. For a premium experience across only these seven platforms, users will need to pay $129.93 monthly.

Given the spending on content creation and international expansion by these firms, price increases are expected to continue in the near future. Consumers will need to try to save by rotating subscriptions or taking advantage of promotions. However, one thing is clear: the era of affordable streaming is over.