Streaming providers keep raising prices. So which ones are at risk of getting cut by subscribers?
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- Streaming services continue to raise prices, and they don't appear ready to stop anytime soon.
How much are streaming services worth to you?
Providers are taking a hard look at the bottom line. And two big takeaways — to Wall Street's delight and customers' chagrin — are to raise prices and crack down on password sharing.
Netflix saw a surge of sign-ups in the aftermath of its password-sharing crackdown, Insider's Nathan McAlone writes. Now, Disney+ seems likely to follow in its footsteps.
Meanwhile, analysis from Bernstein Research found the combined monthly price of a handful of popular streaming services increased 24% from last year, writes Insider's Alistair Barr. What's worse: Streamers seem likely to keep upping prices.
(To be sure, you can still get a handful of subscriptions for under $50 a month — as long as you don't mind some ads — writes Nathan.)
Streamers remain adamant that the positives (more revenue) outweigh the negatives (losing customers).
But viewers will only take so many price increases before eventually pushing back. So which streamers are the "stickiest" for consumers? And which ones are likely to get the boot?
Let's dive in:
- Netflix: The OG streaming service, Netflix is streaming in many people's eyes. There's more competition these days, but Netflix remains a trendsetter. Case in point: How many of you are binging "Suits"?
- Hulu: It's been a long and windy road for the 15-year-old streamer. But Disney's takeover in 2019 was a turning point. With newer hits like "Only Murders in the Building" and "The Bear," along with the award-winning "The Handmaid's Tale," Hulu has climbed high on viewers' queue list.
- Disney+: The Mouse House's main streaming service might not be a draw for some, but it's a must-have for fanbases of certain franchises (Marvel and Star Wars). However, Disney+'s content for kids makes it non-negotiable for parents with young children.
- Max: What it lacks in branding consistency — It's not TV, it's HBO Now HBO Max Max — it makes up for in quality programs. The king of "prestige" TV, Max's combination of one or two flagship shows a year, along with its deep library, gives it a leg up on other streamers.
- Peacock: The end is near for Peacock's biggest exclusive draw, Yellowstone. But it still maintains a slight advantage with live sports, specifically the rights to WWE's entire catalog and PPV events.
- Apple TV+: Yes, Apple TV+ has two major feathers in its cap: "Ted Lasso," winner of a Primetime Emmy, and "CODA," the first film distributed by a streaming service to nab the Best Picture Oscar. But a single movie and a now-sunset series isn't enough to keep consumers paying forever.
- Paramount+: Yikes. Name a show on Paramount+ that you're excited about. Don't worry; I'll wait.