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Apple TV+ Subscription Costs Jump Again, Reaching $12.99
Table of Contents
- 1. Apple TV+ Subscription Costs Jump Again, Reaching $12.99
- 2. A History of Price Increases
- 3. Why the Price Hike?
- 4. How Apple TV+ Compares
- 5. The Broader Streaming Landscape
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions about Apple TV+
- 7. What are the new monthly and annual costs for an Apple TV+ subscription?
- 8. Apple TV+ Raises Subscription Price by $3, Introducing Additional Fee for HBO Max Access
- 9. Apple TV+ Price Hike: What You Need to Know
- 10. The New HBO Max (Max) Access Fee
- 11. Why the Price Increases?
- 12. Alternatives to consider: Streaming Service Comparison
- 13. How to Watch Apple TV+ and Max
- 14. Practical Tips for managing Streaming Costs
The Cost of Apple TV+ has increased to $12.99 a month for new subscribers in the United states, marking the third price adjustment as its 2019 launch. Existing subscribers will see the change reflected in their billing cycles within the next 30 days.
A History of Price Increases
When Apple first introduced its streaming platform in 2019, it offered a competitive monthly rate of $4.99. This price was subsequently increased to $6.99 in 2022, and then again to $9.99 in October of 2023.The current increase of $3 represents a substantial 30% jump from the previous $9.99 monthly fee.
Why the Price Hike?
Apple has attributed the rising costs to notable investments in original content, and specifically highlighted that its service remains ad-free. Variety reported that the company is operating at a loss exceeding $1 billion annually on its streaming venture, due to these content investments and the acquisition of broadcasting rights, including MLS and MLB’s “Friday Night baseball”.
How Apple TV+ Compares
This price adjustment places Apple TV+ in a competitive position alongside other major streaming providers. While still below the cost of Netflix’s ad-free plan ($17.99) and Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99), Apple’s decision to not offer a lower-cost, ad-supported tier may prove pivotal.Other streaming services utilize ad-supported tiers to attract and retain price-sensitive consumers.
| Streaming Service | Ad-Free Plan | Ad-supported Plan (if available) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ | $12.99 | Not Available |
| Netflix | $17.99 | $6.99 |
| Peacock | $16.99 | $5.99 |
Did You Know? Apple expanded the availability of Apple TV+ to Android devices in February, a move intended to broaden its subscriber base.
Pro Tip: Regularly review your subscription services to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. Consider whether an ad-supported tier is a viable option for services that offer one.
The price increase currently impacts users in “select international markets,” with pricing in the U.K. and across Europe remaining unchanged at £9.99 and €9.99 respectively.
The Broader Streaming Landscape
The streaming industry is undergoing a period of significant change. Several factors are contributing to price increases, including rising content creation costs, increased competition for viewers, and the need for profitability.Consumers may experience “subscription fatigue” as the number of available services grows, and the cumulative cost of these services continues to rise.
Major players like Disney+ and Paramount+ have also implemented price increases in recent months, demonstrating a wider trend within the industry. The future of streaming may see increased consolidation, with smaller services being acquired by larger companies, or offering bundled packages to attract subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple TV+
- What is the new price of Apple TV+? The new price of Apple TV+ is $12.99 per month.
- When did the Apple TV+ price increase take effect? The price increase took effect on August 21, 2025, for new subscribers.
- Does Apple TV+ have an ad-supported tier? No, Apple TV+ currently does not offer an ad-supported subscription option.
- Is the Apple TV+ price increase global? No, the price increase is currently limited to select international markets.
- How does Apple TV+ compare to other streaming services in price? Apple TV+ is currently cheaper than Netflix’s ad-free plan and Peacock Premium Plus, but more expensive than their ad-supported tiers.
- Why is Apple increasing the price of Apple TV+? Apple cites investments in original content and its ad-free model as justification for the price increase.
What are the new monthly and annual costs for an Apple TV+ subscription?
Apple TV+ Raises Subscription Price by $3, Introducing Additional Fee for HBO Max Access
As of today, august 24, 2025, Apple has announced a price increase for its Apple TV+ streaming service and a new fee structure for accessing content from HBO Max (now Max). This shift impacts both new and existing subscribers, prompting many to re-evaluate their streaming options. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the changes and what they mean for you.
Apple TV+ Price Hike: What You Need to Know
The standard Apple TV+ monthly subscription is increasing by $3, moving from $9.99 to $12.99. This is the first meaningful price adjustment since the service launched in November 2019.
Impact on Existing Subscribers: Current subscribers will see the price change reflected in their next billing cycle. Apple has sent out notifications via email outlining the updated pricing.
Family Sharing: The price increase applies to all plans, including those utilizing Apple’s Family Sharing feature, which allows up to six family members to share a single subscription.
Annual Subscription: The annual apple TV+ subscription is also affected, increasing to $129.99 per year. This still represents a slight discount compared to paying monthly.
Bundled options: Subscribers who access Apple TV+ through Apple One bundles will also see an adjustment to their overall bundle cost.
The New HBO Max (Max) Access Fee
perhaps the more significant change is the introduction of an additional fee for accessing content from HBO Max, now rebranded as Max. previously, some Apple TV+ promotions included limited-time access to max. This is no longer the case.
Separate Subscription Required: To watch Max content, users will now need a separate Max subscription in addition to their Apple TV+ subscription. This means a combined cost of at least $29.98 per month (Apple TV+ at $12.99 + Max starting at $16.99).
No Integrated Access: There is currently no integrated viewing experience within the Apple TV app.Users will need to access Max content directly through the Max app or website.
Impact on Cord-cutters: this change especially impacts cord-cutters who relied on Apple TV+ bundles for a more affordable way to access premium content.
Why the Price Increases?
Apple cites increased investment in original content as the primary driver behind the price hike. The company has been steadily expanding its library of Apple originals, including critically acclaimed series like Ted Lasso, Severance, and silo.
Content Investment: Producing high-quality original programming is expensive. Apple is competing with streaming giants like netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, all of whom are heavily investing in content creation.
Profitability: while Apple doesn’t break down revenue for Apple TV+ specifically, analysts believe the price increase is aimed at improving the service’s profitability.
Max Licensing Costs: The end of the promotional agreement with Warner Bros.Discovery (now Max) likely involved significant licensing costs, contributing to the need for a separate access fee.
Alternatives to consider: Streaming Service Comparison
With the increased costs, it’s a good time to evaluate your streaming options.Here’s a swift comparison of popular services:
| Streaming Service | Monthly price (as of Aug 24, 2025) | Key Features |
|—|—|—|
| Netflix | $15.49 – $22.99 | Extensive library, original series, movies |
| Disney+ | $7.99 – $13.99 | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, star Wars content |
| Amazon Prime Video | $14.99 | Included with Amazon Prime, original series, movies |
| Hulu | $7.99 – $17.99 | Current TV shows, original series, live TV options |
| Max | $16.99 – $20.99 | HBO Originals, Warner bros. movies, Max Originals |
| Paramount+ | $5.99 – $11.99 | CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon content |
| Peacock | $5.99 – $11.99 | NBCUniversal content,live sports |
How to Watch Apple TV+ and Max
Despite the changes,accessing both services remains straightforward:
Apple TV+: Available through the Apple TV app on various devices,including iPhones,iPads,Apple TVs,Roku,Amazon Fire TV,and smart TVs. You can also watch on the web at https://support.apple.com/guide/tvplus/welcome/web.
Max: Requires a separate subscription and can be accessed through the Max app on compatible devices or via the Max website.
Practical Tips for managing Streaming Costs
Rotate Subscriptions: Consider subscribing to diffrent services on a rotating basis to maximize your viewing without overspending.
Bundle Deals: Explore bundled options offered by other providers, such as internet or mobile carriers.
Free Trials: Take advantage of free trials to test out new services before committing to a subscription.
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