The same nine streaming subscriptions cost $702/year more than in 2021
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Nine streaming subscriptions cost $702 more per year now than in 2021.
A basket of nine streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Peacock, YouTube Premium, Spotify) cost $95.91/month in March 2021 and $154.41/month today, a 61% increase. Apple TV+ rose 200%, Disney+ 138%, Peacock 100%, and Hulu 58%. The tracker uses flagship ad-free tiers from 2021-03, the first month all nine existed, to avoid summing launch prices from different years. YouTube TV and Prime Video are excluded as not comparable standalone on-demand subscriptions.
What commenters are saying
The top comment is from the author explaining their methodology: they track 27 providers' pricing daily, curating dated price histories from primary sources. They initially summed launch prices but corrected to March 2021 to reflect a basket that actually existed. Commenters note the 61% increase is 26% in real terms after inflation, comparable to historical cable costs. Another camp advocates for physical media and library rentals as alternatives, citing first-sale doctrine and concerns about digital purchase revocation (Sony removing 551 purchased movies).