Apple TV is more expensive, starting now
The price of the service has tripled since its launch in 2019.
Less than a decade ago, streaming services were touted as a more affordable alternative to cable television. However, it seems that prices for these services continue to rise. Apple TV, one of the latest players, has announced a $2 price hike for its monthly plan, effective immediately. The new monthly cost is now $14.99, up from the previous $12.99.
The annual plan has also seen a $20 increase, rising from $99 to $119. According to Variety, this makes the service three times more expensive than it was when it first launched in 2019, with a monthly rate of $4.99.
Apple TV's programming has seen a significant upgrade since its inception, offering a more diverse range of original content. This year, the streaming platform has had its most successful year at the Emmys, with both "Widow's Bay" and "Pluribus" receiving nearly 20 nominations each, placing them among the top contenders behind series on HBO Max like "The Witcher" and "Hacks."
Despite the increased popularity and improved content, the price hike has been a steep one, with Apple TV's rate going up each of the past four years. The trend is not limited to Apple TV alone; streaming services across the board are increasingly raising their prices. Earlier this year, Netflix also announced an increase, raising the cost of its ad-free plan to $19.99 per month. The basic plan, which includes advertisements, saw a similar price bump to $8.99 during the same period.
Written by urgent.news from The A.V. Club's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.