Streaming Prices For 2025 And Beyond

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, we check out the streaming prices for 2025 on the most popular platforms, and research into how those costs will increase in the future.

Streaming services have become an essential part of our entertainment diet. But with rising costs of living, those monthly subscriptions can start to feel like a hefty chunk of change. Netflix anticipated a significant profit increase in the last quarter, largely attributed to their crackdown on password sharing and the introduction of a cheaper, ad-supported tier. However, these recent changes have had a noticeable impact on consumer behavior. A recent survey revealed that 45% of subscribers have canceled at least one streaming service in response to these shifts in the market, indicating a potential trade-off between increased revenue and subscriber churn.

In this post, we check out research from digital PR agency Reboot Online who utilised AI to predict the future of streaming service subscriptions, projecting price increases across the most popular platforms – Netflix, Disney+, Prime, and more. We’ll also ask what each platform is offering, and whether it’s worth investing.

Streaming Prices For 2025 And Beyond

Netflix

Netflix faces significant price hikes over the next decade. The ad-supported tier will double to £9.99/month with limited content and ads. The premium tier will increase by 44% to £25.99/month, costing subscribers nearly £240 annually. At the projected 2035 National Living Wage, subscribers would need to work almost two full workdays to cover the annual premium subscription cost.

Is Netflix Worth It?

While the rising costs may seem daunting, Netflix continues to offer a compelling value proposition for subscribers. Here are some key factors that justify the investment:

1. Exclusive Content: Netflix remains a leader in producing high-quality original series and films, many of which have garnered critical acclaim and global popularity.
2. Extensive Library: The platform boasts a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy specials, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Netflix’s intuitive interface and personalized recommendations make it easy for users to discover and enjoy content.
4. Offline Viewing: Subscribers can download content for offline viewing, making it convenient for travel or areas with limited internet connectivity.
5. Multiple Profiles: Families and shared accounts can create individual profiles with personalized recommendations, ensuring a tailored viewing experience for each member.
6. Constant Innovation: Netflix consistently invests in new technologies and features, such as interactive storytelling and mobile gaming, enhancing the overall user experience.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime, the UK’s second most popular streaming service, currently costs users £8.99 per month. However, a historical forecast analysis suggests a potential price increase to £12.99 in the coming years, representing a substantial 44% jump.

Is Amazon Prime Worth It?

Despite the projected price hike, Amazon Prime remains a compelling value proposition for many consumers due to its multifaceted benefits:

1. Extensive Content Library: Prime Video boasts a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and Amazon Originals, often rivaling or surpassing competitors like Netflix in terms of variety and quality.

2. Fast and Free Delivery: Prime’s signature benefit is its expedited shipping service, offering free one-day or even same-day delivery on millions of eligible items. This convenience alone can save significant time and money, especially for frequent online shoppers.

3. Prime Day and Exclusive Deals: Prime members gain exclusive access to the annual Prime Day event, featuring deep discounts on a wide range of products across various categories. This can lead to substantial savings throughout the year.

4. Additional Perks: Prime membership also includes access to other valuable services such as Prime Music, Prime Reading, and unlimited photo storage, further enhancing its overall value.

5. Potential for Long-Term Savings: While the price increase is significant, the potential for substantial savings through fast shipping, exclusive deals, and access to valuable content can outweigh the increased cost for many consumers, especially those who frequently utilize these services.

Disney +

Disney+ is poised for substantial price increases over the next decade. The most significant jump is predicted for the Standard with Ads package, doubling from £4.99 to £9.99 per month by 2035. The Standard and Premium tiers will also see considerable hikes, increasing by 88% and 82% respectively, reaching £14.99 and £19.99 per month. Notably, Disney+ has a history of annual price adjustments.

Is Disney+ Worth It?

Despite these projected price increases, Disney+ remains a compelling option for many viewers due to its unique strengths:

1. Iconic Franchises: Disney+ boasts an unparalleled library of content, including beloved franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and National Geographic. This exclusive access to high-quality, family-friendly entertainment is a major draw for subscribers.

2. Constant Content Additions: Disney+ consistently adds new movies, TV shows, and documentaries, ensuring a steady stream of fresh content for viewers to enjoy.

3. Bundling Opportunities: Disney+ often offers attractive bundle deals with other streaming services like Hulu and ESPN+, potentially reducing the overall cost for subscribers who value access to a wider range of content.

4. Potential for Long-Term Value: While the price increases are significant, the value proposition of Disney+ remains strong, especially for families with young children or those who are passionate about Disney’s iconic franchises.

Paramount+

Paramount+ is also expected to significantly increase its subscription prices over the next decade. The Standard with Ads tier is projected to double in price, aligning with competitors like Netflix and Prime Video at £9.99 per month. The Standard and Premium tiers are expected to increase to £14.99 and £19.99 per month, respectively.

Is Paramount+ Worth It?

Despite these projected price increases, Paramount+ offers several compelling reasons for viewers to consider it:

1. Unique Content Library: Paramount+ boasts a diverse library of content, including popular franchises like Star Trek, SpongeBob SquarePants, and South Park. It also features a growing slate of original series and movies, offering a unique viewing experience.

2. Live Sports: Paramount+ is a popular destination for live sports, including NFL, UEFA Champions League, and PGA Tour events. This makes it a valuable option for sports enthusiasts.

3. Bundling Opportunities: Paramount+ often offers attractive bundle deals with other streaming services, potentially reducing the overall cost for subscribers who value access to a wider range of content.

4. Potential for Long-Term Value: While the price increases are significant, the platform’s unique content library, live sports offerings, and potential for cost savings through bundling opportunities can make it a worthwhile investment for viewers who prioritize these features.

Apple TV+

Following recent price increases, Apple TV+ subscribers are likely to face one of the largest price jumps among streaming services, with a projected 89% increase to £16.99 per month by 2035. Apple TV+ has a history of adjusting its prices approximately every 17 months, indicating a consistent pattern of price increases.

Is Apple TV+ Worth It?

Despite these significant price increases, Apple TV+ continues to offer several compelling reasons for viewers to consider it:

1. High-Quality Originals: Apple TV+ boasts a growing library of high-quality original series and movies, including critically acclaimed productions like “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “The Morning Show.”

2. Family-Friendly Content: Apple TV+ offers a strong selection of family-friendly content, making it an attractive option for households with children.

3. Integration with Apple Ecosystem: Apple TV+ seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem, offering convenient access for users of Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

4. Potential for Long-Term Value: While the price increases are substantial, the platform’s high-quality original content, family-friendly offerings, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem can continue to provide significant value for subscribers who prioritize these features.

NOW

NOW, known for its relatively stable pricing on its Entertainment and Cinema packages, is projected to see a significant price increase driven by its sports offerings. While the core entertainment and cinema subscriptions have historically experienced infrequent price adjustments, the recent acquisition of sports rights is likely to significantly impact the overall cost for subscribers.

Is NOW Worth It?

Despite the potential for increased costs, particularly in the sports category, NOW continues to offer several compelling reasons for viewers to consider it:

1. High-Quality Content: NOW provides access to a wide range of high-quality content, including popular shows from HBO, Sky Originals, and blockbuster movies.

2. Flexibility: NOW offers flexible subscription options, allowing viewers to choose the packages that best suit their needs and budgets. This flexibility is particularly valuable for those who don’t require constant access to all packages.

3. Value for Sports Fans: For avid sports fans, NOW can offer significant value by providing access to a wide range of live sporting events, including Premier League football, Formula 1, and more.

4. Potential for Cost Savings: By strategically selecting and combining packages, viewers can potentially minimize costs and maximize value based on their individual viewing habits.

Methodology

1. Reboot Online collected historical subscription pricing for the most used film and TV subscription services in the UK, according to Digital Trends, using sources such as 9 Meters. Chat GPT was then utilised to examine the yearly changes in subscription prices to determine the pattern of price adjustment over the years.
2. To emulate the typical pricing adjustments over time, a small, consistent step increase was applied annually. These steps were used to reflect periodic price hikes seen in the market. The increases were set as a fixed amount added annually (e.g., +£0.12 for Standard with Ads, +£0.23 for Standard, +£0.12 for Premium for Netflix). These increases represent a conservative estimate of price growth due to inflation and market dynamics. Each year, the price for each subscription tier was increased by these fixed amounts to project future costs.
3. To account for inflation adjustments, Reboot Online used a gradual inflation approach rather than a strict annual rate to simulate real-world pricing trends. This method prevents large jumps in pricing that might be unrealistic in a subscription service context.
4. Step increases were added to reflect historical patterns. The step increases were informed by historical pricing patterns observed in each of the streaming services and their competitors. Each tier had its own step increase to maintain consistency in pricing adjustments.
5. To forecast the yearly progression and create the final calculation, the step increases for each year until 2035 were applied. By 2035, the subscription prices were projected to reflect cumulative inflation and market adjustments, using the annual step increases to estimate each subscription service’s cost over the next 10 years. Figures were rounded to the nearest .99 as this is typically the pricing structure of these subscription services.
   Discovery+ was not included as they have kept their prices the same since launch.
   *(assuming a 3% annual growth from the £12.21 rate in 2025)
   [1]Netflix to double profits after adding millions of subscribers in three months
   [2] Survey: Brits spend £696 per year on subscriptions
   [3] Intention to Cancel Netflix High Amid Price Hikes