TV Streaming Services Increased Costs
TV streaming services increase their prices from year-to-year. Cable and satellite companies do the same thing – see pricing trends for Xfinity, DirecTV and Dish. For those cutting the cord, choosing which TV streaming service is right for you and your family can be challenging. Before you select or change streaming service provider, know how to best plan for TV in 2023. We monitor the price changes regularly for streaming and cable/satellite service providers so you don’t have to. Know what to expect, when price increases occur, and how to proactively manage your subscriptions. Our goal is to help you get the best value for TV.
Price Increases Expected for Most TV Streaming Services
TV streaming service providers with cable & live TV channels continue to increase their prices, due to annual TV content price increases. Local Network, Sports and Cable News channels (in that order) are the most expensive TV channels/content.
Dish, Sling, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Netflix and Disney/Hulu/ESPN have all introduced price increases. Based on trends, price increases are expected from most other providers with Frndly being the only exception. Expect another big increase from Comcast in January and likely an increase in their affiliate Peacock. With NFL Network and Netflix raising prices again, we also expect many of the add-on services like MAX, Starz, MGM+ and Showtime to increase as well.
Sling Orange or Blue – $5 Increase
In June 2023, Sling’s $5 price increase went into immediate effect. While still one of the least expensive streaming bundles available at $40/mo., it lacks local network tv channels.
Philo – An Increase is Expected in 2024
The last price increase for Philo was in June 2021. Sans Sports and News, we anticipate that subscribers will see a price increase within the next 6 to 12 months.
Hulu (no Live TV) – $3 Increase
The ad-free Hulu package (without Live TV) also increased prices effective October 12, 2023. The ad-free subscription is now $3/mo. more at $18/mo. No change to Hulu w/ ads.
Frndly – no increase expected
Frndly has minimized price increases while expanding their channel lineup of Lifestyle channels. The last price increase was in Nov. 2021 as a result of adding A+E channels.
DirecTV Stream – up to $10 Increase
A second price increase goes into effect Nov. 5, 2023. DirecTV Stream subscriptions will increase up to $10/mo. depending on the package. Increases are effective on next billing.
Fubo TV – $5+ Price Increase Expected
In 2023, fubo TV increased prices by $17/mo., specifically in Regional Sports Fees. We fully expect to see another $5+/mo price increase early in 2024 as sports TV increases.
Hulu Live – increase on October 12, 2023
Hulu Live is increasing their prices on October 12, 2023. Hulu Live TV (with ads) is up $7/mo (~10% increase) and without ads is up $14/mo. (an 18% increase) with no changes to channels.
YouTube TV – Price Increase Likely
It is likely that YouTube TV will again add a price increase mid-2023. Prices have remained flat since June 2021. Nothing has been announced, but the last price increase was $15/mo.
TV Streaming Services without Live, Local TV
The most cost-effective way to cut the cord is to install a whole home outdoor antenna for live local broadcast TV. Once properly installed, you can receive 70+ local channels for $0/mo. forever. This allows the freedom to choose, cancel and even switch between cable TV streaming service providers. Sling, Philo & Frndly are the least expensive Live TV bundles since they do not have expensive local channels. Choosing the best fit for your family depends on your viewing needs and budget.
Sling increases prices by $5 – effective Nov. 5, 2023
Sling’s price increase goes into effect immediately for new customers. However, renewal customers will see the price increase applied on their statement immediately following Nov 5. Base subscription is now $40/mo. Sling does not include local broadcast channels (ex. FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.) in their streaming only packages which can help buffer from big price increases due to broadcasting fees. Read announcement.
Philo – price increase expected for 2024
The last price increase for Philo was in 2021 as a result of contract changes, investment in their platform, and channel coverage. The service has been $25/ month since the last increase in June 2021. While, no specific announcements have been made to indicate another price increase, it’s natural to expect they will raise prices in the coming year.
Philo continues to be one of the least-cost complements to live TV. In May of 2022, we took a deep dive into Philo – read what you need to know about this streaming service. It’s an ideal complement to live, local broadcast TV with its unparalleled coverage of Lifestyle channels.
Hulu increases prices by $2 – effective Oct. 12, 2023
Disney is raising prices for all their streaming services – Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu’s price increases effective as of October 12 include +$3/mo for ad-free Hulu. Hulu now costs $17.99/mo. (up from $14.99/mo.) Read announcement.
Frndly – no price increase anticipated in 2023
Frndly last increased their prices in Nov. 2021 after adding much-desired A+E channels including multiple Hallmark channels. The timing for adding that content was perfect as demand for streaming Hallmark was high. But the price increase was minimal – just $1/mo. more across Frndly’s tiers. And while Frndly has nearly doubled their channel lineup since launch in 2019, no other price increases have been added. Sign up for Frndly.
Recommendation: Complement Live Streaming TV with an Antenna
With an outdoor antenna for live, local network TV channels (70+ channels cost $0/mo.). Adding complementary streaming services like Frndly (at $7/mo.), Hulu (at $18/mo.), Philo (at $25/mo.), or Sling (at $40/mo.) is smart cord-cutting compared to cable/ satellite packages that cost more than $150/mo. Savings can easily amount to more than $120/mo. ($100-$200 for service + $10 for box rental + $40 broadcast, sports, fees & taxes).
TV Streaming Services with Live, Local TV
When getting live local broadcast TV channels via an antenna isn’t an option, choosing between Live TV streaming services shouldn’t be taken lightly. While costs are comparable between providers (ranging from $65 – $135 per month), channel coverage can vary greatly. Plus, functionality like cloud DVR, streaming quality, and broadcasting fees vary across providers. And, the streaming equipment in your home can make a huge difference in signal quality. Save your sanity, we’re here to help.
DirecTV Stream increases prices for 2023
For the second time in 2023, DirecTV Stream will again raise prices by up to $10/mo. In total, this is changing most subscriptions by 20% or more in a single year. And, this increase goes into effect on next billing cycle after Nov 5, 2023. Read the announcement.
DirecTV Stream can be a good alternative to watch live local TV plus cable channels. It is the only alternative to getting all regional sports networks for Avs, Nuggets (Altitude Sports) and Rockies (AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain).
YouTube TV – another price increase expected for 2023
It is likely that YouTube TV will increase their prices sometime in mid-2023, we’re guessing around $10/mo. The last price increase happened in July 2021 as YouTube TV increased by $15/mo. Currently at $65/mo., YouTube TV is still a very viable alternative and offers a cable-like viewing experience with their tv grid guide layout. YouTube TV isn’t for everyone, but is worth considering in the mix of cable + live TV streaming options.
Learn more about Tips & Tricks for watching YouTube TV.
Hulu Live – $7-$15/mo. price increase on October 12, 2023
Disney’s live TV streaming bill is going up again on October 12, 2023. Hulu Live TV (with ads) will be $76.99 (up from $69.99). The ad-free Hulu Live TV subscription will be $89.99 (up from $75.99). Read announcement. Hulu Live is one of the most expensive live tv streaming services – comparable to DirecTV and Fubo. Hulu (with ads, no live TV) is still $7.99/mo; (without ads, no live TV) is now $17.99/ mo.
Important: Bundling all three streaming services (ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu) can help buffer the effects of the price increases. Keep a watchful eye on promotions from mobile providers especially close to holidays – expect to see unique discounts.
Fubo TV – increases prices for 2023-24
Fubo TV last raised their prices $5/mo. in May of 2022. And we would expect nothing less in May 2024. But in February 2023, another $5 increase was added. In Colorado, the cost of Fubo TV went up again by $12/mo. in August as Altitude Sports was added. Subscription costs are now $86/mo. Costs vary in other regions. In addition to Altitude Sports, the channel lineup includes multiple local channels within their base “Pro” package. This puts Fubo TV on par with DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV and Hulu Live for channel coverage and comparable prices, and Fubo TV still offers the least expensive way to get Altitude Sports.
Learn more about Fubo TV and Altitude Sports.
