Discovery Plus Hikes Prices. Will Netflix Follow?
Discovery joins Amazon Prime Video, Disney and other streamers in boosting prices. Rumor has it that Netflix is lining up to be next.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Today
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. Smart money moves start here.
Sent five days a week
Kiplinger A Step Ahead
Get practical help to make better financial decisions in your everyday life, from spending to savings on top deals.
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Closing Bell
Get today's biggest financial and investing headlines delivered to your inbox every day the U.S. stock market is open.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Adviser Intel
Financial pros across the country share best practices and fresh tactics to preserve and grow your wealth.
Delivered weekly
Kiplinger Tax Tips
Trim your federal and state tax bills with practical tax-planning and tax-cutting strategies.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Retirement Tips
Your twice-a-week guide to planning and enjoying a financially secure and richly rewarding retirement
Sent bimonthly.
Kiplinger Adviser Angle
Insights for advisers, wealth managers and other financial professionals.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Investing Weekly
Your twice-a-week roundup of promising stocks, funds, companies and industries you should consider, ones you should avoid, and why.
Sent weekly for six weeks
Kiplinger Invest for Retirement
Your step-by-step six-part series on how to invest for retirement, from devising a successful strategy to exactly which investments to choose.
Warner Bros. Discovery hiked the price this week for its Discovery Plus ad-free monthly subscription in the U.S. to $8.99, from $6.99, but kept its monthly "ad-light" subscription fee unchanged at $4.99.
In Canada, a new Discovery Plus ad-free monthly subscription also rose to $8.99 CAD, from $6.99 CAD, and the new ad-lite rate increased to $5.99 CAD, from $4.99 CAD.
According to an October 3 Wall Street Journal report, Netflix could be next. The company plans to raise prices on its ad-free service in the U.S. and Canada a few months after the actors strike ends, and it is looking at several other markets worldwide, according to the report, which cites sources familiar with the situation.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Netflix did not respond to Kiplinger's requests for comment.
These streaming services join several others that recently announced price hikes, especially for ad-free service. These include Amazon, which last month announced plans to add commercials to its Prime Video streaming service in early 2024, unless members opt for an ad-free version for $2.99 per month.
Starting October 12, the Walt Disney Company will boost prices for its monthly ad-free Disney Plus plan to $13.99, from $10.99. The cost of its monthly ad-free Hulu plan will hit $17.99, from $14.99. Both versions of these services with ads will remain unchanged at $7.99 per month.
First increase since 2021
At Warner Bros., the monthly Discovery Plus increase became effective on October 3. The company said in a statement that this is the first increase for the service in the U.S. and Canada since it was launched in January 2021.
"This will allow us to continue to provide can’t-miss stories in the food, home, relationships, true crime, paranormal genres - plus so much more,” Warner Bros. said.
With some of the biggest streaming platforms raising rates, you may want to check out other options. For tips on how to save money while making sure you get to watch some of the must-see releases, check out our round-up of how to save on streaming services and find streaming deals.
Related Content
- Disney Plus Price Hike is Coming This Fall For Certain Subscriptions
- Hulu + Live TV Bundle Now $49.99/month for 3 Months (includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus)
- Disney Plus with Ads Only $1.99/Month for 3 Months — But Not For Long
-
Ask the Tax Editor: Federal Income Tax DeductionsAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on federal income tax deductions
-
States With No-Fault Car Insurance Laws (and How No-Fault Car Insurance Works)A breakdown of the confusing rules around no-fault car insurance in every state where it exists.
-
7 Frugal Habits to Keep Even When You're RichSome frugal habits are worth it, no matter what tax bracket you're in.
-
Netflix Hikes Prices Again As Subscriptions ClimbNetflix joins Discovery, Amazon, Disney and several other streamers that have recently boosted prices.
-
Should You Cancel Amazon Prime? Here Are 12 Good ReasonsFeature Here's why it might be time to cancel your Amazon Prime subscription.
-
Netflix Losing Streaming Dominance to Disney Plus, HBO Max, Apple TV PlusNetflix has lost a giant slice of its mindshare to competitors in recent years, leading to big changes — and opportunities — for subscribers.
-
Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Will Affect 100 Million Users. Here’s Everything We Know.Netflix password sharing won't go away, but you'll have to pay for the privilege if you're not in the same household.
-
Netflix Comes to Walmart for a 1980s ThrowbackNetflix and Walmart are building on Boomer and Gen X nostalgia for Blockbuster with in-store shopping options for a trip back in time.
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup MeansSmart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
-
Amazon Raising Annual Fees for Amazon Prime MembershipFeature As expected, Amazon is hiking the cost of Amazon Prime membership for the first time in four years.
-
Last-minute Gifts That Save Money All Yearspending Supply chain issues may not have motivated you to buy early and now you’re panicked. No need to worry; we’ve got you covered.
