Ad-free streaming can now run you $137 a month as another major service hikes prices
Streaming services are continuing to raise prices, with Peacock being the latest to hike costs for both ad-supported and ad-free tiers. As monthly costs for multiple services climb, consumers are increasingly shifting toward ad-supported plans or bundling options to manage expenses.
Why it matters
The trend of 'stream-flation' is fundamentally changing consumer behavior and the business models of major media companies as they struggle with subscriber retention.
Hit shows like "Love Island USA" have helped Peacock. Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images Streaming services are steadily raising prices, and Peacock is the latest example. The à la carte price of eight top streamers totals $137 a month, though bundles can bring costs down. Consumers are canceling ad-free versions of paid streamers and favoring free services like YouTube. The cost of streaming without ads is adding up. Peacock just hiked prices for the fourth time in four years in the latest example of stream-flation . As of Tuesday, NBCUniversal's streamer costs $12.99 a month for its main ad plan, up from $10.99, while its ad-free plan rose from $16.99 to $19.99 a month — the same price as Netflix's standard ad-free plan. Every major streaming service has raised prices in the last 12 months.
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