We track the rise of streaming prices in 2026: Spotify, Paramount Plus, Crunchyroll and more

The beginning of the new year broadcast full of longing for all the good things you will see. You can immerse yourself in an unlimited show, indulge in the return of a favorite or stream the new Oscar winner Best Picture from your couch. Visualizing future entertainment is best if you don’t put a price on how you will view it he can change — and it’s already there.

2026 has already brought an increase in services you can use to stream shows, movies, music and live TV, such as Paramount Plus, Spotify and Sling. Streamflation or not, you probably won’t take a complete break from streaming this year, so we’re tracking all price increases from 2025 onwards. If you reach your usage limit, you can cancel, rotate resources or check discounts.

2026 Spread Price Increase

Crunchyroll (February 2026)

I anime streaming service Crunchyroll announced a price increase in Feb. 2including an increase in entry-level fan subscriptions for the first time since 2019. Crunchyroll has shut down its free, ad-supported section about a month before.

With the increase, which applies to new customers and starts March 4 for existing customers, Crunchyroll’s ad-free plans now cost $10 a month for fans, $14 for Mega Fan and $18 for Ultimate Fan — a $2 increase for all plans.

Amazon Music (February 2026)

Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plans later he woke up to $13 per month (or $12 per month for Prime members — both $1 bumps). Family plans increased by $2 to $22 per month. The prices went into effect on February 3 for new customers, and current subscribers will pay more on or after March 5. Amazon Music Unlimited has also adjusted prices in 2025.

Paramount Plus (January 2026)

If you missed Paramount Plus during January price increaseit might be because the information came out two months earlier, in November 2025. When the ride came, it brought the ad-supported Essential from $8 a month or $60 a year to $9 a month or $90 a year. The ad-free version of Paramount Plus, Premium, has increased from $13 a month to $14 and $120 a year to $140.

Spotify (January 2026)

Spotify added to the pile of price hikes with its announcement on Jan. 15. The updates include a $1 bump to each individual’s Premium plan, which goes into effect for new subscribers, and in February for existing subscribers. Individual prices increased to $13 per month, Premium Duo to $19, Premium Family to $22 and Premium Student to $7.

Sling TV (January 2026)

Live TV streaming service Sling has changed the prices of its Green packages in some regions. That’s right market expansion where at least one local ABC, Fox or NBC station is available. Green now costs an extra $9 (up from $5) if you have all three locals, and an extra $4 (up from no charge) if you have one or two. While newcomers will see the change in January, existing customers will not be affected until their due date in February. 20 or later.

2025 Spread Price Increase

HBO Max (October 2025)

HBO Max has raised prices on October 21alongside the launch of the new series: Welcome to Derry and I Love LA. The basic ad-supported tier increased $1 to $11 per month, and the ad-free Standard tier increased $1.50 to $18.50 per month. The ad-free Premium tier jumped $2 to $23 per month.

The increase affected new customers immediately and existing customers in their first billing cycle on Nov. 20 or after it. The Disney streaming increase went into effect the same day, increasing the price HBO Max, Hulu and Disney Plus bundles.

Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Select, Hulu Plus Live TV (October 2025)

The biggest monster ride of 2025 was probably Disney’s. Yours the increase was increased to independent of Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Select programs, and bundle programs and Hulu Plus Live TV programs. Notably, ad-free Hulu and Disney Plus and ad-free Hulu bundles couldn’t climb higher. The changes went into effect the same day as HBO Max’s increase — Oct. 21 — apply to existing customers on or after that date.

DirecTV (October 2025)

Price hikes likely to affect DirecTV customers’ bills in Oct. 5 or later, according to the support page that instructs customers to log in to learn more. A representative for DirecTV told CNET that the company is communicating directly with customers about the update and has no distribution.

Philo (September 2025)

On September 30, live TV host Philo’s budget increased the price of its Core plan and add access to ad-supported HBO Max and Discovery Plus. Its subscription price increased by $5 to $33, with existing Core customers paying more on Oct. 30 or after it.

Apple TV (August 2025)

Before it again on Apple TVthe broadcaster formerly known as Apple TV Plus get a $3 ride on Aug. 21. The ad-free service now costs $13 a month.

Peacock (July 2025)

Ad-supported and ad-free versions of Peacock up $3 in Julybringing Premium to $11 per month and Premium Plus to $17 per month. Peacock also began testing a new $8-a-month segment selected for current seasons of NBC and Bravo shows. Annual plans increased by $30, and the changes took effect for current customers on Aug. 22 or after it.

Netflix (January 2025)

It’s been over a year since Netflix last raised prices. Popular streaming service update the price of its ad-based plan in 2025 for the first time since it launched in 2022 — increasing it by $1 to $8 a month. The broadcaster also increased its ad-free Standard plan from $2.50 to $18 per month, and increased its ad-free Premium plan from $2 to $25 per month.

Broadcast Price Decreases

Fubo (January 2026)

A very rare phenomenon in the world of broadcasting, Fubo started a price drop amid its trailer dispute with NBCUniversal. Fubo has dropped its Pro and Elite monthly subscriptions by $11 to $74 and $84 respectively, with existing customers paying less on Jan. 1 or later. Here it is more on the argument and the loss of NBCUniversal channels from Fubo.