Streaming Price Increases 2026: Every Hike So Far and What Each Service Costs Now
Updated
Streaming got more expensive again in 2026. Paramount+ raised prices in January, Peacock in August, and Disney+ and Hulu in September. Ad-free plans from the biggest services now cost $19 to $27 a month each, and a live TV service runs more than $80. If you subscribe to three or four services, your streaming bill may now rival the cable bill you cut years ago.
This page tracks what each major service costs as of October 1, 2026, which ones raised prices this year, and the simplest ways to bring your total down. We'll update it as new increases are announced.
2026 streaming price increases so far
| Service | When | New prices |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | January 15, 2026 | Essential $8.99, Premium $13.99 |
| Peacock | August 18, 2026 (existing subscribers from their next bill on or after Sept. 17) | Select $8.99, Premium $12.99, Premium Plus $19.99 |
| Disney+ | September 23, 2026 (existing subscribers at their next bill) | With ads $12.49, ad-free $21.49 |
| Hulu | September 23, 2026 (existing subscribers at their next bill) | With ads $12.49, ad-free $21.49 |
What the major services cost now (October 1, 2026)
Netflix
- Standard with ads: $8.99/month
- Standard: $19.99/month
- Premium: $26.99/month
Sharing outside your household costs extra: $7.99 a month per extra member with ads or $9.99 without. Standard allows one extra member and Premium up to two.
HBO Max
- Basic with Ads: $10.99/month or $109.99/year
- Standard: $18.49/month or $184.99/year
- Premium: $22.99/month or $229.99/year
Disney+ and Hulu
After the September increase, each service's ad-supported plan is $12.49 a month and each ad-free plan is $21.49. Bundling the two usually costs less than paying for both separately. Compare bundle prices in your account before renewing.
Peacock
- Select: $8.99/month ($89.99/year)
- Premium: $12.99/month ($129.99/year)
- Premium Plus (no ads on most content): $19.99/month ($199.99/year)
Paramount+
- Essential: $8.99/month
- Premium: $13.99/month
Apple TV
$14.99 a month after a free seven-day trial for new subscribers.
YouTube TV
The base plan is $82.99 a month. New users can get a lower introductory rate for the first two months through November 16, 2026.
Is your internet plan part of the problem?
Streaming more means relying on your connection. Check which internet plans and bundles are available at your address.
What a typical streaming stack costs now
Here's how quickly it adds up. A household with Netflix Standard, Disney+ ad-free, HBO Max Standard, and Peacock Premium pays about $73 a month before taxes. Add YouTube TV for live channels and it's about $156 a month. Switch the on-demand services to their ad-supported tiers and the same four apps cost about $45.
Seven ways to cut your streaming bill
- Drop to ad-supported tiers. The gap between ad and ad-free plans has grown. On Disney+ and Hulu, it's now $9 a month per service.
- Pay annually for services you keep all year. HBO Max and Peacock both offer annual plans that work out to roughly two months free.
- Rotate instead of stacking. Subscribe to one or two services at a time, binge what you want, cancel, and switch. Most services let you cancel anytime.
- Use bundles. The Disney+ and Hulu bundle costs less than buying each separately.
- Check perks from your internet or wireless provider. Some internet plans and mobile plans include streaming services or discounted perks. Verizon, for example, offers discounted streaming perks with its home internet plans.
- Audit sharing. If you're paying for extra members you no longer need, remove them.
- Watch for retention offers. Starting to cancel sometimes brings up a discount offer. It costs nothing to check.
Does your internet plan fit how you stream?
More streaming means your home internet matters more. One 4K stream needs a steady connection, and several screens at once need more headroom. If your bill went up because you upgraded internet speed you don't use, or you're paying for a TV package you've replaced with apps, it may be time to reprice your whole setup.
Thinking about cutting the cord or rebundling?
We can help you compare internet plans that pair well with the streaming services you actually watch.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming services raised prices in 2026?
Paramount+ raised prices in January, Peacock in August, and Disney+ and Hulu in September 2026. Check each service's account page for the date the change hits your bill.
What's the cheapest way to keep several streaming services?
Use ad-supported tiers, pay annually where it's offered, look for bundles or perks from your internet or wireless provider, and rotate services month to month instead of keeping them all at once.
Do existing subscribers pay the new price right away?
Usually not. New subscribers typically pay the new price immediately, while existing subscribers see it on a later billing date after notice.