Streamers face quite a challenge in keeping their customer bases happy. They have to address subscriber fatigue, constantly expand their content offerings, and upgrade their services, all while competing with many other platforms.
In November 2025, there was a higher churn rate for major streamers such as DirectTV Stream, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. However, at the same time, their new sign-up rates also grew. Why?
New sign-ups are often a sign of subscribers shifting between platforms to access the content they want at the moment. Sometimes churn and sign-ups are a direct result of disputes (such as the recent one between Disney and YouTube TV), other blackouts (e.g., NBC-FuboTV), major sports events, and promotional deals.
“The market is very much in flux,” Alan Wolk, media analyst and co-founder of research firm TVREV, told Business Insider. “You have some people leaving, and some people coming in, depending on what they want to watch.”
Another major factor impacting both cancellations and new sign-ups is price.
And while the price remains an important element, nearly 10% of households pay for more than five streaming services, according to Forbes.
On average, households pay $46 per month or around $552 per year on streaming subscriptions, which is close to what traditional cable used to cost.
Streaming service price hikes, and 20% inflation
The majority of surveyed subscribers said they would cut services if prices increase, and only 10% said they wouldn’t, Forbes further reported. In 2025, many major streamers increased their prices.
Streamers that raised prices in 2025:
- YouTube TV increased its monthly price by $10 to $82.99 in January 2025, according to CBS News.
- Netflix raised prices after revealing its last quarter of 2024 brought in 18.9 million new subscribers.
- Fubo increased prices by $5 per month on all its English-language plans for new subscribers, according to The Streamable.
- Apple TV raised prices for the third time in three years, reported CNBC.
- Disney+ raised its monthly price from $9.99 to $11.99, and from $15.99 to $18.99 per month for an ad-free plan, according to MacRumors.
- HBO Max also increased its subscription fees across all plans, reported TechCrunch.
Also, it is important to mention that Paramount+ has just announced it will raise prices on all subscription plans on Jan. 15.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data released in January 2026 for December 2025 revealed that while overall inflation was 2.7%, subscription video services, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+, saw inflation of 19.5%, as first reported by TheStreamable.
It is important to mention that because of a 43-day government shutdown in late 2025, BLS couldn’t collect data in October and November, and the December 2025 data account for all price hikes that happened during the “blackout” period.
Still, increases seem high at a time when the average U.S. customer has been tightening their wallet for a while.
In fact, preliminary results of the January 2026 University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers led Director Joanne Hsu to note that Americans “continue to be focused primarily on kitchen table issues, like high prices and softening labor markets.”
Knowing this, major streaming platforms frequently roll out special deals and promotions.
One month of Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10, YouTube TV special promotions
For a limited time, new subscribers can get their first month of the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle for just $10, according to The Streamable.
The promotional, limited-time deal is $3 cheaper than is typical. This gives new users a low-risk way to explore whether the bundle meets their needs. While $3 less for a month doesn’t seem like much, it comes at a time when every dollar counts for consumers.
More Entertainment:
- Amazon Prime Video introduces major free upgrade for US subscribers
- HBO Max unveils new way to watch beloved shows
- CNN makes generous limited-time offer to subscribers
- Apple TV adds key feature Netflix dropped
Further, the discount is actually 58% less than what you’d pay to subscribe to both streamers separately at full price.
After your first month, the price of a subscription will return to the standard rate of $13 per month.
This deal from Disney+ and Hulu runs through Feb. 17.
YouTube TV also recently rolled out two special deals:
- A limited-time Verizon partnership deal, offering new subscribers with qualifying Verizon internet or mobile service $62.99/month for six months.
- A promotional offer for new subscribers: a discounted monthly price of $67.99 for five months (standard price is $82.99), according to prior reporting by TheStreet.
If you are looking to switch from your current streaming service due to content fatigue or any other reason, you might want to consider these deals.
What you get with Disney+ and Hulu, YouTube TV
Although some content overlaps between streamers, each has something unique to offer, such as Original titles.
YouTube TV service highlights:
- 100+ local and national channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Six accounts under one subscription
- Multiview & Multiview Builder: This feature is often considered one of its biggest advantages over other streaming giants. It is especially valuable for sports fans, and YouTube TV recently improved it in response to requests from users.
- Add-ons (NFL Sunday Ticket, premium networks)
- Device support & household sharing
- YouTube TV Sports Plan: Starting early in 2026, YouTube TV will launch a dedicated sports-only package. The streamlined offering will prioritize major leagues and events, and it will include FS1, NBC Sports Network, All ESPN Networks, and ESPN Unlimited. Subscribers can add options such as NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone, and keep all fan-favorite features, including unlimited DVR, multiview, key plays, and fantasy view.
Disney duo (Disney+ & Hulu) bundle highlights:
- Unified Library Access: Access thousands of titles from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic alongside Hulu’s vast catalog of prestige originals and current-season TV.
- Hulu’s exclusives such as “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Shogun” and “Only Murders in the Building”
- Single-app streaming
- Several user profiles
- Device support and household sharing
