Streaming TV isn't getting any cheaper.
After it was once heralded as the cost-effective alternative to cable, the price of Canada's streaming services is inching higher every year.
And the story was no different in 2023 when inflation, production costs and efforts to turn a profit led many of the biggest names in the business to rework their subscription packages and jack up their rates.
Here鈥檚 a look at recent changes in the monthly price of the top streaming services: 聽聽
Netflix
What changed: The company behind 鈥淪tranger Things鈥� and 鈥淭he Night Agent鈥� phased out its $9.99 鈥渂asic鈥� plan for new subscribers, eliminating its cheapest option without ads and pushing some viewers to either pay more or sit through commercials.
With commercials: $5.99 Without commercials: $16.49 Commercial-free 4K resolution: $20.99 聽
Disney Plus
What changed: In addition to a new ad-supported tier, the home of 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� and Marvel franchises split its existing 4K high-definition (HD) ad-free tier into two options 鈥� one of which is a downgrade on video quality. There are now separate HD and 4K tiers without commercials, both of which now cost more.
With commercials: $7.99 聽Without commercials: $11.99 (Up from $8.99) 聽Commercial-free 4K resolution: $14.99 (Up from $11.99) 聽
Crave
What changed: Bell Media鈥檚 streaming platform for Hollywood movies, Canadian projects and HBO programming shook up its subscription options by introducing two ad-supported tiers while holding steady on the price of its 4K ad-free option.
HD with commercials: $9.99 聽4K with commercials: $14.99 Commercial-free 4K resolution: $19.99 聽
Prime Video
What changed: Amazon announced Prime Video is splitting into ad-supported and ad-free tiers starting in 2024. Viewers who want to watch hits such as 鈥淭he Lord of the Rings鈥� and 鈥淩eacher鈥� series without ads will pay a premium price, which hasn鈥檛 been announced in Canada but equals an additional $3 in the United States. Prime Video is part of the retailer鈥檚 main Prime membership that includes shipping perks.
With commercials: $9.99 聽Without commercials: To be announced. (Up from $9.99) 聽
Paramount Plus
What changed: After raising its price before the holidays last year, Paramount Plus spent much of 2023 bolstering its library. New additions from its many banners include an array of TV series from Showtime and MTV, as well as the 鈥淵ellowstone鈥� and 鈥淪tar Trek鈥� universes. Next year, it will split subscriptions into ad-supported and ad-free options.
With commercials: To be announced. 聽Without commercials: $9.99 聽
Apple TV Plus
What changed: The technology company鈥檚 foray into prestige series, including star-studded 鈥淭he Morning Show鈥� and 鈥淪low Horses,鈥� rolled out a price increase in the fall.
Without commercials: $12.99 (Up from $8.99) 聽
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2023.
The Canadian Press
