Major streaming service increases prices and eliminates free trials

Looking for some streaming service news? Well, Paramount+ has just joined the ranks of streaming platforms increasing their subscription prices. The announcement was made during the company’s shareholder letter on November 10, revealing that price hikes are set to take effect from January 2026.

The reason behind this change? Paramount+ is gearing up for some big investments in its programming, totaling $1.5 billion throughout 2026. This investment will cover a range of content, including UFC, original Paramount+ shows, expanding the film catalog, and third-party licensing. As CEO David Ellison puts it, these price adjustments will help facilitate ongoing improvements and deliver even more high-quality content to viewers in the coming year.

So, what can current Paramount+ subscribers expect? Well, starting January 15, 2026, Essential plan users will see a $1 increase to $8.99 per month, while Premium plan subscribers will see a similar $1 bump to $13.99 per month. Annual plan pricing will also be adjusted accordingly to $89.99 for Essential and $139.99 for Premium.

This news comes as Paramount+ continues to grow its subscriber base, adding 1.4 million new viewers last quarter, bringing the total to 79 million. The company’s direct-to-consumer revenue also saw a 17 percent increase compared to the previous year, hitting $2.1 billion, largely due to a 24 percent rise in Paramount+ revenue.

And it’s not just the price hikes making headlines – Paramount+ has been making some serious moves in the content game. From securing South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for an exclusive deal to partnering with UFC and WWE parent company TKO, the streaming service is clearly focused on offering diverse and compelling content.

This price adjustment by Paramount+ follows a trend seen across the streaming industry in 2025. Companies like Discovery+, Netflix, Dropout.tv, Disney, and HBO Max have all made similar moves over the past year to reflect their growing investments in content and service improvements. With the streaming landscape evolving rapidly, it’s no surprise that prices are shifting to accommodate these changes.