Several streaming platforms are increasing subscription fees, potentially impacting people’s monthly entertainment budgets.
Max, Spotify and Twitch recently announced that they would increase the prices of their various subscription plans with the aim of strengthening their positions in a competitive landscape.
Here’s what you should know about the recent streaming price hikes.
Max increases prices on ad-free plans
In early 2023, Max raised prices for the first time, and just over a year later, the platform raised prices again. The cheapest option will now cost $16.99, up $1, and the annual plan will increase from $149.00 to $169.99. For subscribers to Max’s “Ultimate Ad-Free” plan, the cost will increase by $1 per month, rising to $20.99 per month. The annual subscription for this plan will increase to $209.99.
The price change will take effect immediately and existing subscribers will see it in the next billing cycle. This change also comes less than two weeks before the new season begins. Dragon House airs on the platform and shortly after it was announced that Disney+, Max and Hulu would bundle their streaming services together.
See more information: The streaming wars have entered the age of chaos
The price of the Spotify Premium plan goes up
For Spotify, this marks the second time in a year that the platform has adjusted its prices, a move it justifies in its FAQ section: “As we continue to grow our platform, we are updating our Premium prices so that we can continue to innovate in changing market conditions. These updates will help us continue to provide value to fans.”
The music streaming service will increase the price of its ad-free tiers. The price of the Spotify Premium plan is changing from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, and the price increase for the family plan is a little steeper, coming in at around $3 – up from $16 .99 to $19.99 per month.
Twitch raises prices
Twitch, the Amazon-owned live streaming platform, has also joined Spotify and Max in raising its prices. The price increase will take effect in more than 30 regions, including the US, Europe and New Zealand. The price will go from US$4.99 to US$5.99 in the US
“As part of our efforts to help creators build and grow their communities around the world, the following countries have received subscription price adjustments as part of Local Subscription Pricing,” the platform wrote on its website.
After the price increase was announced, a Twitch streamer asked Platform X if this meant streamers would receive a bigger cut. “Streamers will continue to earn according to their revenue share (50-70% depending on the current Plus program level),” the post says. “Streamers will make more money per subscription with the price increase.”
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
