Streaming prices are out of control - See what services are charging
We’ve come a long way from the days of visiting Blockbuster Video on a Friday night to find a few movies to pass the weekend. These days, you don’t have to get off the couch to rent the latest Hollywood smash hit.
Now, you just fire up the smart TV and connect to your favorite streaming service to have fantastic content at your fingertips. Giants like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Paramount+ have emerged as dominant players, offering a vast array of movies, TV shows and original content.
But as the competition intensifies and the demand for quality content grows, prices for these streaming services have steadily climbed. Let’s look at the top streaming platforms, why costs are skyrocketing and the prices you can expect to pay.
Why are streaming prices constantly climbing?
The primary driver behind the price hikes for streaming services is the fierce competition among these platforms. Each service vies for a share of consumers’ wallets and screen time, leading to an arms race in producing exclusive content and securing the rights to popular shows and movies.
Also, the cost of producing high-quality original content has significantly increased. Not only does original programming attract new subscribers, but it helps retain existing ones. This constant demand for fresh, engaging content puts pressure on streaming services to invest more in production budgets, driving up subscription fees.
Licensing fees for content from major studios and networks have also risen, especially for in-demand titles and blockbuster movies. To maintain a competitive edge, streaming services must pay a premium to secure exclusive rights to popular content, which is reflected in their subscription prices.
Netflix: The pioneer of streaming
Netflix, the streaming industry’s trailblazer, revolutionized how people stay entertained. With its vast library of movies, TV shows and critically acclaimed originals, it quickly gained millions of subscribers worldwide.
As the market became more crowded, Netflix focused on producing exclusive content, which undoubtedly contributed to the spike in its subscription prices. Here’s what Netflix charges now:
- Standard with ads – $6.99 monthly: It’s ad-supported, with all but a few movies and TV shows available and unlimited mobile games. Watch on two supported devices at a time. Watch in Full HD.
- Standard – $15.49 monthly: Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games. Watch on two supported devices at a time. Watch in Full HD. Download on two supported devices at a time. Option to add one extra member who doesn’t live with you for $7.99 monthly.
- Premium – $19.99 monthly: Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games. Watch on four supported devices at a time. Watch in Ultra HD. Download on six supported devices at a time. Option to add up to two extra members who don’t live with you for $7.99 monthly. Netflix spatial audio.
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The whole streaming scene is confusing. DirecTV Now changed its name to AT&T TV Now and can’t seem to settle on plans and pricing. Tap or click here to parse the options. Disney+, Apple TV and HBO Max joined the party — and each one wants your money.
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In most cases, breaking the rules either leads to a big payoff or a stiff penalty. Epic Games learned that the hard way last week after the gaming giant tried to skirt Apple’s 30% commission policy on purchases made in the popular game Fortnite. Epic Games tried to bypass the Apple payment systems by offering players a 20% discount on in-game currency, V Bucks, but only if they paid Epic Games directly for the purchase. This violates the App Store policies and Epic Games got caught.
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Looking for something new to watch? Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to do with so many streaming services and options available. There’s only one catch: Those of us that want it all have to pay out the ear for it.
Because of exclusive content and streaming rights, cord-cutters end up paying close to what a full-fledged cable subscription costs just to get all the best streaming services. But if you play your cards right, you don’t have to break the bank. Tap or click here to see the best streaming options for any budget.