Paramount Plus is hiking prices again, but it’s still cheaper than Netflix, Disney Plus and Max
Streamlining the business
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This might sound familiar:Paramount Plusis getting ready to raise its subscription prices for new sign-ups in August and existing customers in September. The streamer had alreadygot more expensive last yearfollowingthe arrival of the Showtime bundleso seeing another price hike announced so soon is a real blow.
The good news is that even with the planned bump in costs, Paramount Plus with Showtime is still cheaper than the ad-free plans of Netflix, Disney Plus and Max, which is notable given that WBD’s streamer recentlyshocked with an immediate subscription increaseearlier this month.
The price rise will see the Paramount Plus Essential plan (with ads) increase by $2 to $7.99 a month, the (ad-free) Paramount Plus with Showtime will go up by $1 to $12.99 per month and the existing Paramount Plus Limited Commercial offer by $1 to $7.99 a month for all new sign-ups on August 20. The new prices will hit existing subscribers a month later on September 20. We have contacted Paramount Plus to see whether the increase applies to global markets and will update this article when we hear back.
In comparison to Paramount Plus' price hike, the equivalent ad-free plan forMaxcosts $16.99 per month, $13.99 a month forDisney Plusand $15.49 a month atNetflix.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that the number ofbest Paramount Plus moviesandbest Paramount Plus showsis a lot smaller when compared to rival streamers. Even Peacock’s relatively small library is still more expensive to stream ad-freeafter its own recent price hike to $13.99.
Why is Paramount Plus getting more expensive?
It all has to do with costs. Paramount Global has been looking to streamline its business for some time now: it first consideredjoining forces with WBD’s Maxin late 2023, butnegotiations fell through by Februarythis year only to be picked back up again by Skydance Media.Peacock’s owner Comcast then threw its hatin the ring, which waslater joined by Sony in April.
The failed merger and buyer talks are just another sign of the tightly strapped pockets of entertainment companies and the cost challenges they’re facing. Of course, Paramount is not alone in raising prices but how long will it be till it deploys other cost-saving measures that we’ve come to recognise, like the increasing rollout of more ads and password sharing crackdowns?
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Amelia became the Senior Editor for Home Entertainment at TechRadar in the UK in April 2023. With a background of more than eight years in tech and finance publishing, she’s now leading our coverage to bring you a fresh perspective on everything to do with TV and audio. When she’s not tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and travelling.
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