Why did AppleTV increase by almost 30% per month?

I was just notified that the monthly Apple TV price was increasing from $9.99 to $12.99, a 30% increase! That's excessive. Why was a 30% price increase needed?

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 3:26 PM

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Posted on Sep 15, 2025 4:23 PM

Apple One has maintained its price point for the Individual Plan at $19/95/month and includes:

  • 50GB of iCloud
  • Apple TV+
  • Apple Music
  • Apple Arcade

Apple One - Apple


Netflix charges $24.99/month for the comparable plan that includes 4K and Spatial Audio.


Or, you can eliminate Apple TV+ altogether, the choice is yours to make. Apple TV+ has much more content now then it had previously when it was introduced at the lower price point.

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Sep 15, 2025 4:23 PM in response to DoubleD916

Apple One has maintained its price point for the Individual Plan at $19/95/month and includes:

  • 50GB of iCloud
  • Apple TV+
  • Apple Music
  • Apple Arcade

Apple One - Apple


Netflix charges $24.99/month for the comparable plan that includes 4K and Spatial Audio.


Or, you can eliminate Apple TV+ altogether, the choice is yours to make. Apple TV+ has much more content now then it had previously when it was introduced at the lower price point.

Sep 15, 2025 4:05 PM in response to DoubleD916

Every streaming service on the planet is increasing prices. Netflix went up, others as well. You have a decision to make. If you don’t see the value in the new price then cancel your subscription. Apple can charge whatever they want for their services. Its up to you to decided if it’s worth it.


You might to look into Apple One in which you can combine your various Apple subscriptions in to a bundle at a reduced monthly price.


Apple One - Apple


By the way Apple won big at the Emmys last night with premium content and award winning shows.


Sep 15, 2025 6:33 PM in response to lkrupp

Nope, your memory is faulty:


https://agoodmovietowatch.com/the-complete-history-of-apple-tv-price-hikes/


if my Apple purchase history goes back that far, I can prove you wrong that way as well.


I knew at one point I paid $4.99. It just was not a year ago but I have been getting Apple TV+ for free for about five years, so I have not really been paying attention to price hikes


Apple TV+ Price Hikes

October 24, 2022. From $4.99 to $6.99 (Apple TV+ monthly plan)

Apple TV+ first increased prices by 40% in 2022. The percentage is a bit high, but considering that the monthly plan increased by only $2 after three years since launch, the increase wasn’t that bad.

  • Monthly plan: $6.99/month
  • Annual plan – $69/year

This price hike also comes right after the streamer’s Originals garnered critical success. The previous year saw CODA winning the Oscar for Best Picture, while shows like Severance and Ted Lasso unexpectedly getting nominated for multiple Emmys. 

October 24, 2023. From $6.99 to $9.99 (Apple TV+ monthly plan)

Apple TV+’s second price hike wasn’t equally well received. Compared to the previous year, the $3 hike made the price rise by 30%. However, the platform’s subscription fee now comes around the same price as other streaming services. Compared to streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV’s base plan is slightly more expensive.

  • Monthly plan: $9.99/month
  • Annual plan – $99/year

With this price increase, it’s clear that Apple TV+ has now completely banked on its slate to pull in subscribers. 

Sep 15, 2025 8:22 PM in response to SocialSpit

SocialSpit wrote:
Compared to streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV’s base plan is slightly more expensive.
Monthly plan: $9.99/month

Is that a comparison you made or something generated from some AI, they are not even comparing the same thing. There is no base plan for Apple TV+, there is one plan and the base plan provided by Netflix used for the comparison at $7.99 has these limitations not found on the Apple TV.

  • Includes Ads
  • Only 1080p
  • Limit of 2 supported devices.


The closest plan that Netflix offers that compares to Apple TV+ is their premium plan that costs $24.99 with these features that are the same as Apple TV+.:

  • Ad-Free
  • 4K Video
  • Spatial Audio
  • 6 members can play content at the same time


So the comparison of the plans is Netflix at $24.99 and Apple TV+ at $12.99 (your source listed $9.99?). Instead of saying "Compared to streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV’s base plan is slightly more expensive", the correct way to say it is "Compared to Apple TV+, Netflix is nearly twice the price for the same features."


For what it is worth, I have both streaming services.


Sep 15, 2025 4:53 PM in response to DoubleD916

I get my Apple TV+ through T-Globule, which is one reason why I’m sticking with that horrible provider for now. I remember when Apple TV was $4.99? That was what about a year ago? That’s what the price was when I started it.


I get my Amazon prime for half off because of being disabled, but then they started charging three dollars a month to not have commercials.


we are just being nickel and dimed to death here

Sep 30, 2025 10:18 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

You can't compare appletv to netflix. Netflix has more watchable content then any streaming service or cable network. Appletv has a tiny movie library they constantly advertise new movies making it seem they are getting released on their platform but instead release them in theaters first. Where netflix makes movies to be released solely on their streaming service to attract people to pay their higher price. Until appletv has old shows like the office or friends that people like to rewatch and a bigger movie library and realy more original content they are going to lose customers by raising their prices. I've been a customer for over 2 years and i just canceled due to this price hike.

Sep 30, 2025 10:42 AM in response to Chefstewart78

Chefstewart78 wrote:

You can't compare appletv to netflix. Netflix has more watchable content then any streaming service or cable network.

I don't consider reruns of network TV shows from years ago watchable content. Apparently that is your preference, so a service that features original content is certainly not for you. I agree, you should not be using a service like Apple TV+, even though it is nearly half the price of the comparable Netflix plan. I can only hope Apple does not start showing old reruns of Friends or The Office, it would be at that point that I would consider dropping the service if I were to pay a penny more for that content to be included.

Oct 19, 2025 9:42 AM in response to SocialSpit

Yeah it’s more money & wayyyyyyy less content. When i had a 3 month free trial with my new phone it seemed like everything I clicked on brings you to another streaming service or was not available. It felt extremely limited in its actual content. Like everything some has does or do is super expensive. They could afford to have slightly lower rates for streaming service without it hurting them whatsoever. It’s called competitive pricing but let the greed continue

Oct 19, 2025 9:49 AM in response to LoveMyFlockinXmasTree

You are free to use whatever service suits you the best. Previously if everything you clicked on brought you to another service, then you were using the Home tab instead of the Apple TV tab. With the proper tab selected, you will only see the Apple content and all is included with your subscription.


I have both Netflix and Apple TV, and for me Apple TV offers a far greater value for my viewing preference. I am not at all interested in old Office reruns or other content that has long ago been abandoned found on Netflix. My preference is only original content and I find that Apple TV at nearly half the price to be better for me. Your preference may be different and that is fine too, which is why there are many options available.

Oct 19, 2025 9:57 AM in response to LoveMyFlockinXmasTree

LoveMyFlockinXmasTree wrote:

Yeah Apple tv is extremely limited in content with such a high price point considering that

You can have all kinds of content, but it is useless if you would never watch them. I don't care about old Seinfeld, Office, Friends, or the hundred of other shows found on Netflix and wouldn't even consider that content. In comparison to the similar Netflix account, it is nearly twice the price as Apple TV because it includes that content that I would never watch. I still use and pay for both services, but for value in what I actually watch, Apple wins hands down. Everyone has their own preferences, which is why you have many choices. Yours and mine may be different than others.

Why did AppleTV increase by almost 30% per month?

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