Streaming Prices Soared 29% in 2025—Why It Matters for Gamers and Binge-Watchers

Streaming services charged 29% more in 2025 than the year before, even as users grumbled about ads, content bloat, and 4K overpromises.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 29% unadjusted inflation in subscription and rental pricing for video streaming and games from December 2024 to December 2025. This outpaced the 2.7% year-over-year increase in the overall Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The BLS defines the category as "subscription video-on-demand SVOD and one-time rentals."

Adjusted inflation for subscription-based services spiked 19.5% in the final month of 2025 alone, dwarfing the 28% surge in instant coffee prices—the second-highest inflation rate in CPI-U subcategories. Major providers like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max raised prices in 2024-2025 to offset stagnant growth and content costs.

Experts anticipate subtler price hikes in 2026, such as 4K upcharges or bundled subscriptions. The BLS methodology highlights that streaming inflation reflects "changes in the price of access to digital content rather than physical goods," amplifying the sector’s reliance on price hikes over innovation.