Americans Dropping Streaming Services Amid Rising Cost of Living, Report Reveals

A recent report has found that many Americans are cutting back on subscription streaming services due to the rising cost of living. Deloitte’s 2026 Digital Media Trends report highlights this trend, showing that about 40 percent of Americans have reduced their streaming subscriptions in the last three months.

The report suggests that as essential expenses like food and housing remain high, consumers are reevaluating their budgets and trimming nonessential expenditures. At the same time, prices for media and entertainment services are on the rise. For instance, nearly 75 percent of Americans are frustrated with the continuous price increases by their streaming platforms.

Netflix recently announced a price hike for the second consecutive year. The cost of their standard plan with ads rose by $1 to $8.99 per month, while ad-free plans increased by $2. Additionally, Disney also raised the prices of its streaming services last September. The price of Disney+ with ads went up from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, and the ad-free premium option increased by $3 to $18.99 per month. Similarly, Hulu’s basic plan with ads saw a $2 increase to $11.99 per month.

Despite a steady inflation rate in February, many Americans are still struggling to meet basic needs. With grocery prices up by 0.4 percent and gas prices up by 0.8 percent, the cost of living remains a significant concern for households. This ongoing financial strain has led to a reevaluation of discretionary expenses, including streaming services.

As the Consumer Price Index for March is set to be released, it is expected to reflect the impact of high gas prices resulting from the war in Iran. Economic factors play a crucial role in determining how Americans prioritize their spending on nonessential services like streaming platforms.