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Canceling Apple TV+ Because of the Latest Price Increase? Which Lower-Priced Alternatives Are Available?

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
Read full bio ›
David Satin

A year and a day after Apple TV+ rolled out its first-ever price increase, the streamer is back at it. Apple is increasing subscription costs once again, bringing its new prices to $9.99 per month, or $99 per year.

  • Apple TV+ price increase could indicate the company is gearing up to pursue more live sports.
  • Streamers like Peacock and Paramount+ offer great entertainment value for a smaller price.
  • Ad-supported Max delivers prestige TV, live sports and more.

Why, Apple, Why??

The price increase for Apple TV+ is clearly unfortunate for users, who are continuing to watch their streaming costs climb this year. From Apple’s perspective, the company is just trying to do what everyone else in the industry is attempting: to make their streaming services profitable.

The move especially makes sense considering Apple’s interest in pursuing more live sports rights. The company has been linked multiple times to the NBA, and the high price tag for those rights will mean that Apple needs to have its finances ready when the negotiating window with the league opens.

What Alternatives to Apple TV+ Are Available?

If you’re just looking to save a little money, and aren’t as worried about getting the same level of prestige content, check out a subscription to Peacock Premium for $5.99 per month. You’ll have to put up with a limited ad load, but you’ll get access to hit Universal movies like “Fast X” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” as well as the upcoming “Five Nights at Freddy's.”

Peacock also gives viewers much more in the way of live sports than Apple TV+. NBCUniversal’s streamer carries weekly installments of “Sunday Night Football,” Notre Dame football, Big Ten sports, cycling, NASCAR racing, English Premier League soccer, and a ton of other events at no additional cost to subscribers.

Peacock also has a much larger selection of library content than Apple TV+. Fans of shows like “The Office,” “Parks and Rec,” “Law and Order: SVU” and other titles that are great to have on in the background will love Peacock’s catalog.

Similarly, Paramount+ has a wide range of streaming content from library shows to new originals. Taylor Sheridan fans will be able to stream titles like “1883,” “Tulsa King” and the upcoming “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” to their heart’s content with a Paramount+ Essential subscription, which starts at $5.99 per month.

Paramount+ also mixes in plenty of older titles for fans to stream alongside new series. Users can watch episodes of the “Frasier” reboot, then switch over to the classic show for even more laughs. Big Star Trek fan? Check out the latest season of “Strange New Worlds” before flipping on “The Original Series” to see how they stack up against each other!

Live sports are also available on Paramount+. Users can stream the UEFA Champions League, Serie A and more soccer, plus every NFL on CBS game playing on TV in your local market will be available to watch live on Paramount+.

What About Prestige TV?

One of the biggest reasons customers subscribe to Apple TV+ in the first place is because of the service’s reputation for shows with big budgets, well-recognized stars and high production values. That’s another reason the company feels comfortable raising prices: it’s got what it feels is the best content around for the price.

Max offers its ad-supported streaming tier for $9.99 per month, the same price Apple TV+ is now charging. Like Apple’s streaming service, Max has a reputation for prestige television, being the repository for HBO shows like “Succession,” “House of the Dragon” and so many other beloved hits. The price you’ll pay is the same as an Apple TV+ subscription and you’ll have to put up with ads, but you’ll get a lot more value from Max.

That’s because Max offers a staggering library of shows, both from HBO and from discovery+. The service also carries a huge selection of Warner Bros. movies, catalog shows like “Friends,” and free live sports from TNT and TBS until February of 2024. The price you’ll pay for ad-supported Max is equal to the cost of Apple TV+, but you’ll get a lot more for your money with the service.

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
Read full bio ›
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