The same nine streaming subscriptions cost $702 more a year than in 2021
The same nine subscriptions, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Peacock, YouTube Premium, Spotify, cost $95.91 a month in 2021-03, and $154.41 a month today. That is +61% in 5 years, or $702 more per year for exactly the same nine services. General prices rose 26.5% over the same period, so after inflation the basket is still up 27%, about $397 a year in today's money. Few people pay for all nine at once. The basket is a yardstick for the market; the per-service rows below are what apply to you. Every figure is dated and linked to its source.
The same basket, then and now
| service / tier | 2021-03 | today | change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Standard | $13.99 | $19.99 | +43% |
| Disney+ Premium (ad-free) | $7.99 | $18.99 | +138% |
| Hulu No Ads | $11.99 | $18.99 | +58% |
| HBO Max Standard (ad-free) | $14.99 | $18.49 | +23% |
| Apple TV+ Apple TV+ | $4.99 | $14.99 | +200% |
| Paramount+ Premium | $9.99 | $13.99 | +40% |
| Peacock Premium Plus (ad-free) | $9.99 | $19.99 | +100% |
| YouTube Premium Individual | $11.99 | $15.99 | +33% |
| Spotify Premium Individual | $9.99 | $12.99 | +30% |
| Combined | $95.91 | $154.41 | +61% |
What the yearly figure looks like
At 2021-03 prices these four cost $1,150.92 a year. Today the same nine cost $1,852.92, a difference of $702 annually, for the same services and, in most cases, the same tier. Nothing was cancelled or downgraded to produce that number.
Adjusted for inflation
Between 2021-03 and 2026-08 US consumer prices rose 26.5%. If these nine subscriptions had only kept pace with inflation, the 2021-03 basket of $95.91 would cost $121.29 a month today. It costs $154.41. The rise above inflation is 27%, or $397 a year in today's money.
Per-service records
Each service has its own dated timeline with a citation on every change: Netflix · Disney+ · Hulu · HBO Max · Apple TV+ · Paramount+ · Peacock · YouTube Premium · Spotify.
Questions
How much has streaming gone up?
A basket of 9 major services went from $95.91 to $154.41 a month between 2021-03 and today, an increase of 61%, or $702 a year.
How much does streaming cost per year now?
$1,852.92 a year for these 9 services at their current standard tiers, against $1,150.92 for the same nine in 2021-03.
Which streaming service has raised its price the most?
Netflix +43%; Disney+ +138%; Hulu +58%; HBO Max +23%; Apple TV+ +200%; Paramount+ +40%; Peacock +100%; YouTube Premium +33%; Spotify +30%, measured from 2021-03 to today on each service's flagship tier.
Is this just inflation?
Partly. US consumer prices rose 26.5% between 2021-03 and 2026-08 (Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U, all items). These subscriptions rose 61%. Had they only kept pace with inflation they would cost $121.29 a month today; they cost $154.41. The increase above inflation is 27%, or $397 a year in today's money.
Why do streaming services keep raising prices?
We do not speculate on motive; we record what was charged and when. What the dated record shows is that increases have become regular rather than exceptional, and that several services have raised prices more than once in a single year.