We’ve had just about enough of streaming cost increases to last a lifetime. In 2024, we swear streamers were hiking the prices of their platforms once a week. Streaming was supposed to be the great disruptor of cable, bringing consumers more choice, a better experience, and lower costs. But in recent years, it seems like quality-of-life no longer matters for streamers, and they’d rather just tack on ads, price increases, and whatever else they can do to squeeze every last dime out of a consumer. With so many cost increases happening in streaming all the time, it can be hard to keep track of just how many are happening. But we’re here to help. This year, we’re keeping track of all the streaming cost increases and streamer price hikes that take place.
We hope to report there are few to none, but we feel like that won’t be the case. We’ll keep this piece updated as streaming price increases come our way in 2025.
All the Streaming Price Hikes in 2025
1/7/2025 – Discovery+ Increases the Cost of its Ad-Free and Ad-Supported Plans
Seven days into 2025, we had our first streaming price increase. Discovery+ hiked its streaming costs for its ad-free and its ad-supported plans. If you’re subscribed to the streamer, here’s what you can expect. Beginning on 1/7/2025, Discovery+’s ad-supported tier increased from $4.99 to $5.99, a $1 price hike for the streamer. This is the first price hike the ad-supported Discovery+ tier has experienced since it’s launch in 2021. Meanwhile, Discovery+’s ad-free tier increased from $9.99 to $9.99, another 2025 increase of $1 per month. But it’s worth noting that in October 2023, the streamer increased its steaming costs from $6.99 to $8.99. That means in two years, the Discovery+ ad-free option increased by $3/month.
Those subscribed to Discovery+ will see the increased cost reflected in their next 2025 billing cycle or after February 7. Meanwhile, new customers will experience this change immediately.
How Many Streaming Price Increases Will We See in 2025?
We can’t wait to see which streamer increases its costs next. (Not.) But this piece does make us feel like we ought to place bets on just how many price hikes we’ll see this year. Over/under 20? We suppose only time will tell.