A new year means new routines and perhaps new purchases, especially when it comes to your streaming service offering.

While some streaming services are offering new deals for 2025, others are offering their customers price increases.

Why it matters

While Netflix used to be one of the few streaming service providers available, the market is now flooded with competitors such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and others.

A wide range of entertainment options are now available to consumers, but some of them can be quite a drain on the wallet, so viewers may need to make their streaming budget decisions carefully for 2025.

What you should know

Will YouTube TV increase prices?

YouTube TV, one of the top streaming services, has announced that its membership prices will increase in 2025.

The new basic plan has been increased by $10 to $82.99 per month starting December 12, 2024. This includes more than 100 channels, a DVR with unlimited storage, and up to six accounts per household.

Here’s how to get Sling’s $5 off offer for life

Unlike YouTube TV, Sling offers a $5 discount that applies to your monthly payments for life.

To complete the deal, all you need to do is add Max to your account. This applies to the basic Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue packages.

DirecTV stream

DirecTV will offer similar pricing to its customers in 2025.

The entertainment package starts at $86.99 per month, but you can also purchase a selection package for $114.99 per month, which gives you access to local regional sports networks.

The Premium package costs $169.99 per month for 220 channels.

Hulu

Hulu announced it would increase its prices in 2025.

As of October 17th, prices for Hulu with advertising have increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month. The ad-free version increased from $17.99 to $18.99 per month.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is one of the streaming services that will have a new offer for customers in the new year.

On January 4th and 5th, customers can get free streaming as long as their iPhone, computer or TV is connected to the Apple TV+ app. This includes all shows and films available on the platform.

Fubo

In 2025, Fubo’s TV package starts at $32.99 per month. However, buyers can get a cheaper price by taking advantage of the platform’s seven-day free trial or taking advantage of a special offer with $20 off the first month.

The highest tier Fubo package costs $109.99 per month.

What people say

Alex Beene, a financial literacy lecturer at the University of Tennessee at Martin, shared Newsweek: “While 2024 was a difficult year if you wanted to save money on streaming services, 2025 could prove to be a little better. Consumers, still struggling with cost increases on most expenses, are looking for ways to save and for streaming services that they can rarely use and have only increased in price, it can easily happen for some be removed from the monthly budget.

Kevin Thompson, financial expert and founder/CEO of 9i Capital Group, said Newsweek: “As cord-cutting continues, streaming has become the predominant choice for entertainment, but many find it just as costly – if not more expensive – than traditional cable… To save money, consumers should review their streaming subscriptions and their monthly totals compare.” If costs are higher, it may be time to reduce or consolidate costs.

What happens next

Beene said streaming services’ offerings could lead to greater affordability across the industry.

“I think Apple’s free weekend of its streaming service is a sign of things to come. Limited-time offers will give you more opportunities to attract new subscribers and bring back former ones,” said Beene.

For most consumers, Thompson said, using just one provider could mean significant money savings in 2025. “Simplifying subscriptions not only saves money, but also reduces the hassle of managing multiple accounts.”