Discovery+ raises monthly subscription prices by up to 20 per cent
Discovery+ has raised monthly subscription prices for the first time since January 2025, with ad-free plans increasing from $10 to $12 and ad-based plans from $6 to $7. The changes follow Skydance’s acquisition of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, but a Skydance spokesperson said the increases were planned before the merger’s closing date.
New subscribers pay the higher rates immediately; existing customers will receive 30 days’ notice, with the new prices applying to bills issued from 12 November. Discovery+ focuses on reality programmes and documentaries and has been profitable since at least 2023, though its latest subscriber count has not been disclosed. Skydance has said it plans to combine Paramount+, Discovery+ and HBO Max into one service over time.
- Discovery+ raised ad-free prices by $2 and ad-based prices by $1 a month.
- Existing subscribers will get 30 days’ notice before the increases take effect.
- Skydance plans to combine Discovery+ with Paramount+ and HBO Max over time.
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Discovery+ is a streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, offering reality programmes and documentaries. Viewers can choose plans with adverts or pay more to watch without them.
Warner Bros. Discovery was acquired by Skydance, a media company, and is also behind services including HBO Max. Skydance has said it plans to bring Discovery+, Paramount+ and HBO Max together in one service over time.
Subscription prices matter to viewers deciding which services to keep, and to companies seeking to cover the cost of making and licensing programmes. Discovery+ has been profitable since at least 2023, but its latest subscriber total has not been disclosed.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The increases can be defended as a way to keep Discovery+ financially sustainable while funding programmes and the service’s continued operation, particularly as streaming companies face pressure to make their offerings pay. The company also gave existing subscribers 30 days’ notice, allowing them time to decide whether the service still represents good value.
The case against
Subscribers can reasonably object that increases of up to 20 per cent make a recurring service less affordable, especially when customers already face rising costs across streaming. The timing, shortly after the parent company’s acquisition, may also leave customers uncertain about what they are paying for as plans emerge to combine Discovery+ with other services.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Skydance’s Discovery+ prices increase by up to 20 percent”.