28 Apr Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Prices Increase And Ads Abound [Deadline]
BY DESSI GOMEZ
April 28, 2025 | The ultra-competitive subscription streaming market has gained traction over pay-TV by providing a content-rich alternative at a far lower cost to viewers.
But streaming prices have been rising sharply, a marked contrast to the days when Disney+ had no ads and cost just seven bucks a month. A recent report by research firm Antenna found that prices for both ad-free services and those with ads have risen on average more than 20% since 2023.
Apple TV+, whose monthly price has doubled since it launched in 2019, might have been tacitly acknowledging the trend when it made the service free for the first weekend in January in a global promotion.
The surge in streaming has tracked inflation across the broader economy, which has seen the cost of groceries, gas and many other items climb at rates not seen in decades. It can be difficult to keep track of the going rates for the different streaming services – and doing so is even more complex now that most are offering both ad-free and ad-supported tiers. Netflix’s Standard (ad-free) tier just jumped to $17.99 a month from $15.49, becoming the priciest major outlet, followed by Max‘s ad-free level at $16.99, followed by Disney+ at $15.99. (Netflix and Max also offer ultra-premium plans north of $20.) Most services have yearly subscription prices versus month-to-month, which can shave a few dollars off the price for those willing to commit for a longer period up front. Then there are bundles like one combining Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, or add-on options like Apple’s recently launched offering with Prime Video.