Streaming services have evolved from being affordable alternatives to cable TV into a costly investment, with subscriptions for popular platforms like Max, Netflix, and others ranging from $15 to $110 per month. A recent report indicates that nearly 70% of Australians subscribe to at least one streaming service, with the average household having two subscriptions. The launch of HBO’s Max in Australia is expected to draw even more subscribers, thanks to exclusive content such as The Last of Us and House of the Dragon.
Max offers competitive pricing with introductory discounts, providing options for subscriptions at $7.99, $11.99, and $17.99 per month. While this appears attractive compared to Netflix’s escalating prices—$13.99 in 2020, expected to rise to $18.99 by 2025—Max’s tiers remain among the more affordable options available. Only a few services, including Prime Video and Apple TV+, offer cheaper basic plans.
As streaming services introduce ad-supported tiers to attract cost-conscious viewers during the current cost-of-living crisis, some platforms have begun cracking down on password sharing. This move is aimed at increasing subscription numbers, as households can now only share accounts within their immediate family, pushing many to secure individual subscriptions, particularly for exclusive content that is not available on other platforms.
In terms of costs, subscribing to two streaming services could result in monthly expenses as low as $14.98 or as high as $109.99. For instance, a viewer opting for ad-supported tiers might pay $14.98 monthly by combining Paramount+ Basic with either Netflix Standard or Max Basic with ads. Alternatively, those seeking ad-free experiences could subscribe to Paramount+ Standard and Max Standard for around $22.98 monthly. Conversely, the most costly combination could involve Netflix Premium and a Foxtel Now bundle, amounting to $109.99 monthly.
If Australians wish to utilise all nine major streaming services available—Max, Netflix, Stan, Binge, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Foxtel Now—the total cost could range from $118.94 to $256.93 per month. For context, Foxtel’s Platinum Plus package, which includes access to many streaming services alongside traditional cable TV, costs $145 monthly without discounts.
In conclusion, while streaming remains more budget-friendly compared to cable television, it is evident that the initial appeal of ad-free content is diminishing as costs escalate and restrictions tighten across various platforms. This changing landscape is reshaping how Australians engage with digital content.