The price bump for streaming services is becoming an annual occurrence as investors pressure media giants to make their platforms profitable. YouTube TV’s new pricing now rivals the cost of traditional cable packages, according to industry trade group CTAM.
Streaming gained popularity in the early 2010s due to its lower costs and ease of use compared to cable and satellite TV. However, the rising cost of programming, particularly live sports, has led to price increases across the board.
Despite the higher prices, consumers have access to more content than ever before. Netflix alone offers over 18,000 shows and movies globally, while bundle deals with Disney+, Hulu, and Max provide similar access to a broader range of content.
Live sports programming has also seen significant improvements, with the NFL offering at least three national TV games per week and adding international games during early morning windows. The NBA’s upcoming media deal will feature up to five nights of national TV hoops each week.
As investors pressure streaming services to become more profitable, they are shifting their focus towards broader pitches for cord-cutting. With prices no longer the sole advantage of streaming services, consumers are being asked to consider the value and convenience offered by these platforms.
In related news, President-elect Trump’s plans to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service could have significant implications for e-commerce giants and government jobs. The USPS is the second most-beloved federal agency, with polling shows that its leadership has struggled to reverse a declining bottom line in recent years.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/12/youtube-tv-price-increase-netflix