Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are leaving office in a little more than a month, but their disastrous economic policies that have led to sky-high consumer prices are still being felt by ordinary Americans — especially in the streaming entertainment field.
YouTube TV is hiking prices by 13.7 percent, with a subscription now costing $82.99 a month, up $10 from $72.99. The price hike has enraged many longtime subscribers, some of whom remember when the live TV streaming service cost just $35 a month ten years ago.
On Thursday, YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, said the increase is effective immediately for new customers and will take effect starting January 13 for “most existing customers.” The service blamed the latest increase on what it called “the rising cost of content and the investments we make in the quality of our service.”
A message for our members: we have always worked to offer the content you love, with features to enjoy the best of live TV. To keep up with rising content costs, we’re updating our monthly price to $82.99/mo. (1/3)
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) December 12, 2024
The price hike is the latest example of streaming inflation — the price increases in streaming entertainment services seen in the last four years. Across the board, streamers including Disney+ and Netflix have been jacking up prices, sometimes by as much as 25 percent.
Streamers have also rolled out ad-supported tiers that cost the same as their commercial-free services once did, leading some to dub it the streaming equivalent of shrinkflation.
YouTube TV’s price hike has infuriated many subscribers, with some noting that the new price no longer makes it more affordable than traditional cable TV.
“All that cord cutting to go to these apps only for them to get back to the price of cable,” one dissatisfied customer wrote.
YouTube TV just increased their price again. All that cord cutting to go to these apps only for them to get back to the price of cable. 😂
— U. P. Sr. (@JustAFamilyMan_) December 12, 2024
“That is the shadiest move that’s been made. Fuck YouTube,” another wrote.
YouTube TV has increased their prices from $40 a month to $83 a month in the last 5 years. That is the shadiest move that’s been made. Fuck YouTube ✊ https://t.co/cxvxXLTter
— Streameast News Network (@StreameastNews) December 12, 2024
“I might as well go back to cable,” another customer wrote.
I mind as well go back to cable. YouTube TV is increasing their price again! It’s now going up to $82.99 a month. Unreal.
— Pat Mullin Sells 📦💻 (@PatMullin) December 12, 2024
“Don’t think it’s worth it anymore,” yet another wrote.
YouTube TV is now going to be $82.99/month.
— Humphrey Yang (@Humphreytalks) December 12, 2024
When I started it was $62.99.
All I do is watch 4 golf tournaments, 3.5 football games a few Warriors games per year.
Don’t think it’s worth it anymore. pic.twitter.com/8OEstnQE0o
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