Apple Raises Apple TV+ Subscription Prices

Apple has raised subscription prices for Apple TV in the United States with almost no advance notice. The change arrives while the service streams new episodes of popular series, including the sports comedy Ted Lasso and the sci-fi thriller Silo.

Both new and existing subscribers now face a monthly rate of $14.99, representing a $2 jump from the previous $12.99 fee and an increase of roughly 15.4%. The annual tier increased from $99 to $119, a jump of about 20%. The latest hike marks the fourth rate increase in four years, effectively tripling the price since the platform debuted. When Apple TV launched in 2019 under the name Apple TV Plus, it cost $4.99 per month.

Alongside the standalone Apple TV increase, the company raised the price of its Apple One bundle. The package, which includes Apple TV, Apple Music, iCloud Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus, and Apple Fitness Plus, climbed from $19.95 to $21.95 per month.

Streaming costs have surged across the entire entertainment sector in recent years. Rivals like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Hulu, and Paramount Plus have all implemented multiple rate hikes. Earlier in the week, YouTube Premium rolled out a 17% monthly price increase for subscribers in Europe and Asia. Hulu maintained its initial $11.99 launch price for six years before rolling out four price hikes over the following five years.

The price adjustments follow strong critical recognition for the Apple TV catalog. The platform recently collected 89 Emmy nominations on the strength of series such as Pluribus and Widow’s Bay. The previous year, The Studio won Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmys, while Severance and Slow Horses collected several awards. Even with critical acclaim and award recognition, ongoing price increases continue to test consumer patience across the streaming market.

Source: Polygon