{"id":33107,"date":"2022-08-19T11:19:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T10:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weareactors.com\/?p=33107"},"modified":"2022-08-19T16:17:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T15:17:48","slug":"streamers-hike-prices-how-the-big-players-stack-up-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weareactors.com\/streamers-hike-prices-how-the-big-players-stack-up-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Streamers Hike Prices: How the Big Players Stack Up Now"},"content":{"rendered":"
Streaming service subscription rates are rising as companies look to offset ballooning content expenditures and roll out lower-priced, ad-supported options as an alternative. Last week, Disney became the third entertainment giant to raise its rates this year, following Netflix in January and Amazon, which offers Prime Video as part of its broader e-commerce offerings, a month later. Hulu\u2019s new rate goes into effect next month, while the cost of Disney+\u2019s base ad-free plan will increase 38% in December.<\/p>\n
To keep subscribers hooked on their services even as prices go up, streamers are pouring money into ever elaborate offerings such as \u201cHouse of the Dragon,\u201d \u201cThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power\u201d and the latest season of \u201cStranger Things.\u201d But will these reduce churn at a time when consumers are already feeling the sting of inflation in their pocketbooks?<\/p>\n
Regardless, big streamers have no choice but to hike their prices as they strive to meet Wall Street\u2019s new emphasis on profitability, according to MoffettNathanson\u2019s Michael Nathanson. \u201cFrom here on out, we hope the focus for streamers is return on invested capital and free cash flow generation,\u201d he wrote in an Aug. 11 research note.<\/p>\n
Still to be revealed: pricing details for the combined Warner Bros. Discovery service expected next year and Netflix\u2019s upcoming ad-supported plan.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in STRANGER THINGS. Courtesy of Netflix \u00a9 2022<\/span> \nCourtesy of Netflix<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
NETFLIX<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> In January, the streamer raised rates to range from $9.99\/ month to $19.99\/month. An ad-supported plan launches in 2023; cost TBD. \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cStranger Things 4\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> Some subscribers have balked at the high-upper-end rate increase. But it\u2019s hard for any rival to match the depth of viewing choices Netflix offers.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>House of the Dragon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
HBO MAX<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> Ranges from $9.99\/month with ads to $14.99\/month without. The high-end fee mirrors HBO\u2019s cable subscription fee. The merged HBO Max-Discovery+ service will debut summer 2023; price not yet known. \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cHouse of the Dragon\u201d (HBO) \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You\u2019re a fan of HBO shows or any of the offerings in its specialized hubs (TCM, DC or Cartoon Network).<\/p>\n
DISNEY+<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> $7.99\/month without ads, rising 38% to $10.99\/month Dec. 8. An ad-supported version will become available for $7.99 at that time. \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> Marvel\u2019s \u201cShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law,\u201d Lucasfilm\u2019s \u201cAndor\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You enjoy Marvel or Lucasfilm programming \u2014 or have kids that clamor for classic Disney fare.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>Prey<\/span> \nCourtesy of YouTube \/ 20th Century Studios<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
HULU<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> On Oct. 10, its ad-plan price climbs $1 to $7.99\/month; ad-free plan is up 15% to $14.99\/month. \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cPrey\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You devotedly watch its original programming, including \u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale\u201d and \u201cOnly Murders in the Building.\u201d Starting this fall, next-day NBC shows leave Hulu for Peacock exclusively.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO\u00a0<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> The annual price for Amazon Prime services, which include streaming in addition to e-commerce deals, recently rose $20 to $139\/year \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,\u201d \u201cThe Boys\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You like second-day shipping or are a devotee of J.R.R. Tolkien. The streamer\u2019s biggest swing yet debuts Labor Day weekend.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>Ted Lasso.Season 2, Episode 6.Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein and Nick Mohammed.Credit: AppleTV+.<\/span> \nAppleTV+<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
APPLE TV+<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> $4.99\/month \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cTed Lasso,\u201d \u201cPachinko\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> One of the lower-priced options, this service offers quality offerings but not so robust a selection.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>Pictured: Gratiela Brancusi as Noemi, Sam Elliott as Shea and LaMonica Garrett as Thomas of the Paramount+ original series 1883. Photo Cr: Emerson Miller\/Paramount+ \u00a9 2021 MTV Entertainment Studios. All Rights Reserved.<\/span> \nCourtesy of CBS\/Paramount Plus<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
PARAMOUNT+<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> $4.99\/month to $9.99\/month \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201c1883,\u201d \u201cHalo\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You are a fan of \u201cStar Trek\u201d programs or Taylor Sheridan\u2019s universe.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>BEL-AIR \u2014 Season: 1 \u2014 Pictured: (l-r) Jabari Banks as Will, Jordan L. Jones as Jazz \u2014 (Photo by: Peacock)<\/span> \nCourtesy of Peacock<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
PEACOCK PREMIUM<\/strong> \nPricing:<\/strong> $4.99\/month to $9.99\/ month. A free ad-supported version is very restricted in its offerings. \nRecent hits\/upcoming tentpoles:<\/strong> \u201cBel-Air,\u201d \u201cLove Island USA\u201d \nWorth it if:<\/strong> You\u2019ve cut the cord and want to see next-day NBC shows this fall when they leave Hulu for Peacock exclusively \u2014 \nor you closely follow Premier League soccer.<\/p>\n
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