Overview
- Major services raised rates recently, with Netflix now charging $26.99 for Premium and $19.99 for Standard, Max at $22.99 for Premium, and Disney+ at $18.99 for its ad‑free tier.
- Subscribers are venting on Reddit and canceling accounts, then re‑joining for specific shows in a rotation strategy described by a CNET editor.
- Consumer Reports and PCWorld advise switching to ad‑supported plans and using bundles, citing offers like Verizon’s $10 Netflix‑and‑Max deal and T‑Mobile’s Netflix with ads at no extra cost.
- Free options can replace a paid service for stretches, including Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube, and library apps such as Hoopla and Kanopy.
- CR’s Jim Willcox found his TV spend near $1,000 a year, while companies say higher prices reflect bigger bets on content, technology upgrades, and live sports, which could speed a shift toward ad tiers and carrier bundles.