Streamflation: Disney+ and Hulu price hikes and how much it really costs to stream TV
The cost of streaming is on the rise.
Over recent years, streaming services that once provided a budget-friendly option for watching TV have become increasingly pricey. With just a few subscriptions, the total can approach that of a traditional cable bill. Many of these increases have gone unnoticed, creeping up by just a dollar or two over time. Notably, Disney+ and Hulu will see price increases in October, while Paramount+ will raise its rates on August 20. Peacock has also increased its prices recently.
You might be surprised to learn about the current and future pricing for the eight main entertainment streaming platforms (excluding bundle options) and Venu, the new sports-focused service by Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox.
What is the cost of Netflix?
â—¾ With ads: $6.99/month.
â—¾ Without ads, two devices supported: $15.49/month (additional member slots can be added for $7.99 each).
â—¾ Without ads, four devices supported, 4K quality: $22.99/month (extra member slots can be added for $7.99 each).
What you receive: Netflix is known for having a variety of popular shows and films, including titles like “Baby Reindeer” and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” It offers a large library of movies and series, alongside games and events, such as live sports and WWE Raw in 2025. Notably, Netflix will feature two NFL games on Christmas Day: the Kansas City Chiefs versus Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens against Houston Texans.
What is the cost of Disney+?
â—¾ With Ads: $9.99/month.
â—¾ No Ads: $15.99 or $159.99/year.
What you receive: Disney+ offers more than just kids’ programming and franchises like Marvel and “Star Wars.” It features popular originals, live events (e.g., an Elton John concert), the Rock Hall induction ceremony, and National Geographic content. These prices take effect on October 17.
What is the cost of Hulu?
â—¾ With Ads: $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
â—¾ Without Ads: $18.99/month.
What you receive: Hulu includes originals like “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building,” along with access to movies and next-day episodes from ABC, Fox, and FX shows. Price changes will apply in October.
What is the cost of Amazon Prime Video?
â—¾ Prime Video with ads: $8.99/month.
â—¾ With ads and full Prime benefits (including free shipping): $14.99/month or $139/year.
â—¾ Ad-free and complete Prime benefits: $17.98/month or $139/year plus $2.99/month.
What you receive: Amazon offers a vast array of content ranging from high-profile series like “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” to classics like “Reacher” and “Jack Ryan.” It includes a mix of new and classic movies and series, along with exclusive coverage of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football.”
What is the cost of Max?
â—¾ With ads: $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
â—¾ Without ads: $16.99/month or $169.99/year.
â—¾ “Ultimate” without ads (4K and four devices supported): $20.99/month or $209.99/year.
What you receive: Max includes all HBO content, originals like “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” and features programming from Discovery channels. There are classics from Turner and Warner Bros. movies like “Barbie.” Though some Max originals are being shifted to HBO, they will still be available on the Max platform. Some sports content is also provided via an optional Bleacher Report subscription.
What is the cost of Peacock?
â—¾ Premium plan (with ads): $7.99/month or $79.99/year.
â—¾ Premium Plus plan (without ads): $13.99/month or $139.99/year.
What you receive: Peacock features exclusive episodes of “The Office,” next-day streams of NBC and Bravo shows like “Saturday Night Live,” and originals such as “The Traitors” and “Poker Face.” It’s also the exclusive streaming service for the Olympics and a variety of other NBC sports, including “Sunday Night Football.” Live streaming of local NBC channels is also available.
What is the cost of Paramount+?
â—¾ Paramount+ Essential plan (with ads): $7.99/month or $59.99/year.
â—¾ Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan (no ads): $12.99/month or $119.99/year.
What you receive: Paramount+ offers access to both new and classic CBS content, movies, and originals like the “Frasier” reboot and various “Yellowstone” spin-offs. You’ll have the option to stream CBS live, which includes sports events such as NFL games, soccer, and golf. If you choose the ad-free plan with Showtime, you also unlock that premium channel’s offerings, like “Yellowjackets” and the “Dexter” revival.
What is the cost of Apple TV+?
â—¾ Without ads: $9.99/month.
What you receive: Apple TV+ features original series and films, including hits like “Ted Lasso” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Apple has also secured sports rights for “Friday Night Baseball” and Major League Soccer. However, Apple TV+ lacks an extensive library of older programs and films, offering mainly its original content created since it launched in 2019.
What is the cost of Venu?
â—¾ With Subscription Cost: $42.99/month.
Included Features: The new sports-focused streaming service presents an opportunity to watch an extensive range of live sports for those who have opted out of traditional cable. This initiative is launched by Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Fox, and is timed to coincide with the college football season. It covers various professional leagues including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. Additionally, college sports such as NCAA football and men’s and women’s basketball are included, along with motorsports like NASCAR and Formula 1, Grand Slam tennis, golf, boxing, and MMA events. However, sports broadcast on NBC or CBS, such as the Olympics and NFL games, including “Sunday Night Football,” are not part of this service due to the absence of Comcast and Paramount’s involvement. Currently, Fubo, an internet TV provider, is filing a lawsuit against the owners of this service for supposed antitrust violations, putting the planned launch on August 23 at risk if a judge issues a temporary injunction.
Wondering about the overall costs? If you were to subscribe monthly to individual ad-supported plans for all eight major streaming services, it would total $77.92 once the announced price increases take effect, not counting Venu. For ad-free options, the expense would reach $122.41. Including Venu, the total for plans with commercials rises to $120.91, whereas the ad-free versions would cost $165.40.
Is this price justifiable? That really depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Most people won’t subscribe to all eight services, but if you’re aiming to watch every nominated show in the best drama and best comedy categories for this year’s Emmy Awards, you would need to sign up for five different platforms.
This serves as a reminder to regularly check your credit card statements and to only subscribe to the services you genuinely use. For instance, if you joined Peacock solely for the Olympics but haven’t watched any other content, it might have been wise to cancel right after the closing ceremony.
With all these recent price increases and package deals, the traditional cable TV experience doesn’t seem so unappealing after all.
