Apple TV Plus is getting a major price hike, and I couldn’t be more annoyed
Apple TV Plus an extra three dollars, please
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Bad news, everyone:AppleTV Plus, one of the last bastions of ad-free cost-effective streaming services, is getting a big price hike.
As first reported byBloomberg, Apple is raising the price of one of the world’sbest streaming services. Even worse, it’ll cost almost double what you’re currently paying to use the streaming platform. Well, in the US anyway. As Gurman pointed out on X (formerly Twitter), the monthly cost ofApple TV Plusis going up from $6.99 to an unpleasant $9.99 – a 31% jump on what users currently pay. Signing up to a yearly subscription will also set you back an extra $30 as it’s going up from $69 to $99.
NEW on @TheTerminal: Apple is raising the price of Apple TV+ from $6.99 to $9.99 (and $69 to $99 annually), Apple Arcade from $4.99 to $6.99 and News+ from $9.99 to $12.99. Apple One bundle prices also going up + hikes are coming internationally.October 25, 2023
It’s currently unclear if Apple TV Plus' cost will rise in the UK and Australia. We’ve reached out to Apple’s British and Australian divisions to learn more and we’ll update this article if we hear back.
Unsurprisingly, the price increase means it’ll be more expensive to watch the bestApple TV Plus showsandbest Apple TV Plus moviesmoving forward. And, as someone who has vouched for how great the platform’s back catalog is, it’s a price hike that’s really frustrated me.
Not only is (or, rather, was) Apple’s streamer one of the cheapest services around, but it’s also home to some of the best sci-fi TV series to launch in recent months and years, includingFoundation,Severance, andSilo. Critically acclaimed and award-winning non-sci-fi shows, such asTed LassoandBlackbird, are also absolutely worth watching.
The streamer is also going to be the exclusive place to watch some of 2023’s critically acclaimed and highly anticipatednew movies, too, such as Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moonand Ridley Scott’sNapoleon. If Apple wants to entice people to stream these brilliant shows and films on its platform, what good is it going to do raising the price of its monthly and yearly subscriptions at such a key juncture in its history?
With viewers now expected to come up with more cash to subscribe to Apple TV Plus, it’s possible that customers – especially potential new users – will simply pass on the opportunity to sign up for the service in favor of its biggest rivals, such asNetflix.
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Indeed, Netflix’s ad-supported tier only sets you back $6.99 / £4.99 / AU$6.99 per month, meaning it’s now cheaper to watch the streaming giant’s massive library of TV series and movies – albeit with the fact you’ll have to sit through the occasional ad break – than Apple TV Plus' much smaller selection. And Netflix isn’t the only streamer that’s more cost-effective than Apple’s – in the US,Huluwith Ads costs $7.99 per month, whilePrime Video’s ad-supported subscription is priced at $8.99. In the US and UK,Paramount Plus' ads-based tier will also set you back $5.99 / £4.99 every 30 days.
OnlyMax, Warner Bros Discovery’s super streamer replacement for HBO Max, will cost as much as Apple TV Plus. Even then, Max’s extensive back catalog means its $9.99 ad-free monthly subscription is more cost-effective than Apple’s.
In an age where the world’s biggest entertainment companies have increased the price of their streaming platforms, Apple TV Plus was one of the few that stood firm on providing bargain basement prices to consumers. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case – and, in an era where competition for viewers' attention is exponentially increasing, Apple might have made a huge mistake in raising Apple TV Plus' price. Still, if you’re interested in signing up, regardless of the cost, check out ourApple TV Plus reviewto see if it’s worth it.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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