Best way to watch TV & movies? We compared streaming prices, offerings
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Nearly all ad-supported plans (with original content/previous shows) cost under $20.
- Prices of these streaming plans rose $1–$3 monthly since 2025.
- Paying annually can save $18–$46 per year; bundling can also reduce costs.
As the cost of essential items increases, customers may be looking to re-evaluate their subscriptions to streaming services to cut back on their bills.
Many streaming services focus on entertainment — previously released TV shows and movies, plus original content. And while viewers may not be willing to part with plans that offer live TV and news channels, they may be willing to pass on other subscriptions. Or maybe they’re looking for ways to save a few bucks, and are open to switching to an ad-supported version.
Prices of plans may have increased since last year, and with automatic withdrawals, people may be paying more for services than they were last year, perhaps without realizing it.
The News & Observer collected and analyzed prices and offerings of more than two dozen ad-supported and ad-free plans from eight platforms to help consumers make decisions about their monthly purchases.
(All of these plans offer original content and previously released TV shows and movies, but not live TV channels. To see prices and offerings of streaming services that act as alternatives to cable TV, click here.)
2026 prices of streaming services
Nearly all of the ad-supported streaming services offering original content and previously released shows and films cost less than $20 per month, and several cost about $10 per month, give or take a couple of bucks.
Ad-free versions are, in general, more expensive than the plans with ads.
The most expensive plans among the ad-free and ad-supported options are the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundles. The version with ads costs $36 per month, and the one without ads, $45 per month.
The cheapest ad-supported plan that’s open to everyone is Peacock Select, which costs about $8 per month. Amazon Prime Access is cheaper, but is only available to qualifying government assistance recipients and income-verified customers.
Apple TV is the least expensive ad-free streaming plan. It costs about $13 per month.
How prices of streaming services have changed since 2025
Every plan that allows viewers to watch original content and previously released TV shows and movies has increased in price since last year, The N&O’s analysis shows.
Ad-supported and ad-free plans cost $1-$3 more per month than in 2025.
How to save money on subscriptions
Customers can often save money on streaming services — between $18 and $46 per year, depending on the plan — by paying a one-time annual fee, rather than a monthly fee.
They can also check to see if plans can be bundled. For example, ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu plans cost about $12 each. By bundling, subscribers would pay about $13 per month for both.
Some cable customers may get access to ad-supported versions of many popular streaming services at no extra cost. Spectrum Select and Platinum TV customers can sign up to get HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+ and Peacock Premium for free.
Signing up for these subscriptions through Spectrum does not replace existing subscriptions, though, so customers should manage their subscriptions to avoid multiple charges.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Best way to watch TV & movies? We compared streaming prices, offerings."
