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Peacock raises subscription prices for the first time
Streaming service Peacock is raising the prices of its subscription plans. The ad-supported Premium subscription goes up by a buck, to $6 per month, while the ad-free Premium Plus option shoots up two bucks to $12 per month. An annual Premium subscription is going up $10 to $60 per year, while the Premium Plus subscription increases $20 to $120 per year. This all goes into effect on August 17th.
Twitch is raising prices for its ad-free Turbo service
Twitch’s ad-free Turbo subscription plan is raising its price, jumping from $9 to $12 per month in the US. Twitch has offered no feature changes or add-ons to accompany this price hike. The monthly cost for Turbo is going throughout the globe, with an average hike of around 25 to 30 percent.
Tesla raises prices across its entire EV lineup
The base Model 3 now costs $46,990.
Sonos hikes prices on the Amp and Port as it moves production out of China
Sonos is moving production of some of its products from China to Malaysia, and at the same time the company is increasing the price of the Sonos Amp and Sonos Port by $50. Sonos told The Verge that its decision to move production is less of a response to tariffs, which it reportedly called a "one-time hit," and more about diversifying production for the future.
Hulu increases the price of its live TV service, again
Hulu's live TV streaming is about to get more expensive. The company announced today that its Hulu + Live TV option would increase to $54.99 a month starting December 18th. This is the second time this year the company has raised its rate on live television streaming. In February, there was a $5/month hike to $45.99 -- up from the $39.99 price when the service debuted in 2017.
AT&T hikes TV Now prices by as much as $15 per month
Yes, AT&T is raising prices for its TV Now service for the second time this year -- and it's not a small hike. The telecom is notifying subscribers that the Plus tier will jump from $50 to $65 per month on November 19th, while the Max plan will leap from $70 to $80 per month at the same time. That makes the base service nearly twice as expensive as it was on launch in 2016, when it cost $35.
Philo cuts its most affordable TV streaming plan
The budget TV streaming service Philo announced it's eliminating its lower-cost subscription. Beginning May 6th, Philo will drop its $16-per-month plan, offering only a $20 monthly subscription. The move puts Philo on a growing list of streaming TV providers that have increased prices in the past few months.
PlayStation Plus fees increase in multiple regions
PlayStation Plus subscription fees are on the rise in various regions, Sony confirmed. "We slightly increased prices for PlayStation Plus in South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and India regions due to various market conditions," a representative told Joystiq via email. "Currently, price adjustments are not being planned for PS Plus in the SCEA [North American] region." The confirmation follows a report from iAfrica that stated subscription costs were due to rise within 24 hours of email notifications sent to PS Plus subscribers. The emails reportedly stated that "the price of a three month subscription will rise from R145 to R219" as of today ($12.88 and $19.46). The change represents a 51 percent increase in the three-month PS Plus prices. Additionally, a second email seemingly noted a change in the annual PS Plus costs in South Africa from R489 to R749 ($43.45 to $66.55, a 53 percent increase). [Image: Sony]
Microsoft UK explains price increase for select digital Xbox One titles
Following reports that prices for digital copies of Ryse: Son of Rome, Forza Motorsport 5 and the standard version of Dead Rising 3 had increased by £5, a Microsoft UK representative explained the change to GameSpot this week. "Digital content pricing is subject to change and we may occasionally offer various deals or promotions," the spokesperson said. "Yes, pricing for select digital content in some markets has changed since launch." With the changes in price, all of Microsoft's first-party, retail-sized games that are now available for download on the Xbox One are currently £49.99.
Blockbuster Express kiosks hike rental rates to keep offering new movies
In a continuation of the worst fad ever, it appears NCR's Blockbuster Express kiosk biz is the latest to come down with a case of price hike-itis, following competitors Redbox and Netflix. Of course the cause behind this is the studios, who are pushing for higher rates on new release movies or delayed windows. The 3-2-1 pricing structure it has been testing kicks in on "Hot Movies" in the first month they're available (sound familiar?), renting for $3 the first night (additional nights are still just $1 each, Blu-ray discs still cost $1 extra the first night), dropping to $2 after a month and then to $1 after 90 days. Expect the squeeze to be continually and evenly applied to your video rental options as long as Hollywood believes it increases sales.
Redbox's $1 per night DVD rentals jump to $1.20 October 31st, Blu-ray and games stay the same
While its movie rental rivals Netflix and Blockbuster have struggled for varying reasons recently, it seemed like Redbox could be just the ticket for thrifty renters. That may be tougher now that it has announced Monday we'll see a slight increase in pricing for DVD rentals, from $1 to $1.20, citing increased debit card fees. So far, nightly pricing for Blu-ray discs ($1.50) and videogames ($2) is staying the same, but with studios already pushing for longer rental delays, there's fewer safe ports or those pursuing cheap, current movies. On the conference call, executives floated the idea of using the first sale doctrine to buy and rent retail discs if necessary. Overall, as seen above Redbox's share of the disc rental market rose last quarter, while there's still no word on plans to jump into online streaming. Check below for parent company Coinstar's full Q3 earnings report plus a FAQ that helpfully points out this is Redbox's first increase in eight years and that discs reserved online will still be just $1 for the first night through November. The actual email customers are receiving is included after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Netflix admits it will end up with fewer subscribers than predicted, shrinks DVD-only count
Back in July, after announcing it would decouple unlimited movie streaming from unlimited DVD rentals and charge more to keep both, Netflix predicted it would end up with 25 million subscribers at the end of Q3. This morning it advised investors that prediction has been slashed by 1 million, however most of that shortfall is predicted to come from fewer DVD-only customers than expected, which is expected to come up 800,000 short. While we'll still have to wait for the actual Q3 results to see how things pan out, the company still claims its projection of 12 million subscribers to both services is right on. While it backtracked on the total numbers, it also outlined its reasoning for raising prices by improving the DVD business, raising more cash to spend on streaming licensing and ultimately "remain price aggressive" and keep its individual offerings at $7.99 each. Much of the kicking and screaming online indicted Netflix's streaming library for failing to live up to the new price, anyone surprised many cutters seem to be coming from the DVD-only side?
Netflix price hike kicks in tomorrow, but you may not have to change right away
The time is running out on August, and with it goes the existence of Netflix's streaming and disc services as a single package for $7.99. Keeping both (on the 1-disc plan) will require a $15.98 payout every month starting tomorrow, but if you're one of the many crying loud and often that they'll downgrade or cancel rather than pay more then hang on -- you may be able to squeeze a few extra days out of your current package. Hacking Netflix points out that the price won't actually switch until your "Next Billing Date" after September 1st, but you should change two days ahead to avoid being billed. For us that's not until the 17th, so we have a couple more weeks to continue not watching the rented discs that have been languishing on our coffee tables without paying extra for the privilege. Your date may vary, so check out your account page to find out the specifics. Of course, we are wondering that after the shock has worn off, is everyone still escaping to friendlier locales, scaling back their Netflix subs or just eating the extra charge? Let us know in the poll below. %Poll-68536%
Netflix officially separates DVD, streaming pricing; $15.98 and up for both
Netflix hasn't hinted at any upcoming plans to change the services it offers, but NewTeeVee spotted an unadvertised DVD-only plan on its site, and an anonymous tipster indicates that's just the start. The DVD.Netflix.com page offers unlimited DVDs by mail, per month (one at a time) for $7.99, which slots it between the standard DVD & streaming combo plans and a $4.99 offering that gives just two DVDs per month. According to our source Netflix is planning to change its pricing entirely by implementing a streaming only plan with no discs for $7.99 and changing the minimum pricetag for combined services to $15.98 -- up from the current $9.99 it has charged since November. They indicated the change would take place tomorrow night around 9 p.m., with customers notified by email and no plans to grandfather any of the old pricing setups along. With aggressive expansion plans and its costs to acquire content rising sharply, hiking the price by 50 percent on many of its 20 million+ subscribers could be the easiest way to make the numbers add up. Now, subscribers are left to determine exactly what Watch Instantly streaming (or DVD access) is worth to them. Update: Just that fast, Netflix has officially announced these changes to its pricing plans. Just like our information indicated, DVD only or streaming only unlimited plans are available for $7.99 each per month, or $15.98 together. Existing members can float on their current plans until September 1st but new members will see these rates effective immediately. According to a post on the official blog, the change replaces the DVD plan's existence as a $2 surcharge over streaming and from now on it will no longer unlimited discs and streaming as a single package. Two discs at a time will cost $11.99 by themselves now, but there's no mention of higher plans just yet. Fans of the plastic platter should be at least a bit encouraged however, as there's a new team devoted solely to that service -- here's hoping they can get the stagnant Blu-ray catalog refreshed. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Fisker raises Karma plug-in hybrid base price to $95,900, brings that 750i back into consideration
Oh, sure -- gas is bound to hit $4 a gallon before 2020, but you can buy an awful let of petrol with the money you'll save from dodging Fisker's increasingly expensive Karma. 'Course, those looking to blow 100 grand on an eco-friendly automobile are probably doing so just to throw Ma Earth a bone, but still -- money matters. Originally teased way back in the fall of 2007, Fisker's first plug-in hybrid still hasn't ended up anywhere near mass production, but it has managed to see two rather significant upticks in price all the while. Right around two years ago, we saw the $80,000 MSRP boosted by $7,000, and today, prospective customers are being notified via email that the Karma's base price is now sitting at $95,900 before a $950 destination fee. Granted, the company insists that this includes an integrated solar roof panel (valued at $5,000), and it still starts at $1,400 less than a Panamera S. And yeah, that base price does shrink to $88,400 after you include federal tax incentives. That said, we're doubting high-rollers that were dead-set on handing over $73,000 or so after tax breaks are currently stoked about an increase this large, particularly when there's still no definitive ship date. To Fisker's credit, we've seen General Motors go through similar trials and tribulations surrounding the Volt, and even at $95k, you'll be hard pressed to find more sexy than this on four (street legal) wheels.
Xbox Live subscription prices to rise; $60 for 1 year beginning in Nov. [update]
As if to balance out the news of Nintendo's DSi price drops, Microsoft has announced via Major Nelson that the cost of an Xbox Live Gold membership will increase starting on November 1 in the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK. In the US, a one-month Gold subscription will rise for $7.99 to $9.99; three months from $19.99 to $24.99; and a full year from $49.99 to $59.99. Check Major Nelson's post for price changes in other regions. If you want to extend your Xbox Live membership without paying the new higher costs, you have two choices: 1) you could renew your subscription for one year through Xbox.com for for $40; or 2) load up on prepaid subscription cards, like, now! Update: Microsoft has informed Joystiq that the $99 price will not change for the Xbox Live Family Plan, also launching this November. So that's suddenly a better deal.
DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket adds SuperFan (HD games, Red Zone) for all, streaming is extra
With football season ready to kick off yet again there's still no good news for those who want Sunday Ticket without DirecTV, but if you do have the right satellite hookup then there are a few new wrinkles in 2010. First the bad news, at five payments of $59.99 the price has risen yet again to $299.95, but this year features that used to require the $99 SuperFan add-on -- every game in high definition, Game Mix Channel, Red Zone Channel, Short Cuts -- are included, so if that's what you wanted then the price has actually gone down. One SuperFan feature that's still extra is access to streaming games, now broken out on its own at NFL Sunday Ticket To-Go, it brings 14 Sunday ticket games every week, Red Zone Channel, highlights, stats and more via the internet (PC, Mac, Android, iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, webOS, Windows Mobile) for an additional five payments of $9.95. Check the press release after the break for all the details, but we're pretty sure this is the kind of decision that makes itself for most NFL fans.
DirecTV raises a new satellite & its prices
With the successful launch of DirecTV 12 yesterday the satellite company has already announced it will expand to more than 200 HD channels. Of course, by the time it starts operating in Q2 of 2010, viewers will already be paying off that launch in the form of increased rates. Multichannel News points out the email currently going out. highlighting increases from $3 to $5 for programming while DVR fees rise from $5.99 to an even $7 beginning February 9. At the same time subscribers will lose access to XM Satellite Radio channels in lieu of audio from SonicTap. Check out the rate increases for yourself (warning: PDF link) and tell us, are more channels and the prospect of a new DirecTiVo and 3D enough to keep you around?
Verizon looking to bump early termination fee to $350 on 'advanced' devices
You know what's worse than showing your Bitter Beer Face to the world after you passed on Apple's iPhone and let AT&T enjoy the spoils? Raising your early termination fee to stratospheric heights. Just over a year ago, we honestly though this whole ETF thing was headed in the right direction, as most of the major carriers (VZW included) sought to prorate contracts in order to lessen the charge as one's contract drew closer to an end. Now, however, Big Red is evidently gearing up to pull a 180, with the slide above showing a $350 ETF for "advanced" devices (read: probably anything deemed a smartphone). The newly hiked rate will go into effect on November 15th, and while that $350 will decrease by $10 per month over the life of the agreement, this pretty much guarantees that you won't be adding a line, disconnecting and then flipping that phone on eBay.
Xbox 360 Arcade price increased in UK, Microsoft explains
Although the Xbox 360's cheapest package, the Arcade, experienced no price adjustment in the States during the recent markdown, the same can't be said for its British cousin. In the UK, the Arcade actually increased 30 lbs. pounds overnight, with no added value in the box. Microsoft, by way of CVG, has explained it as an attempt to "offset" exchange rate fluctuations and local market conditions.A Microsoft representative told the site that the increase from £130 to £160 is a first for the company, which has never "made upward adjustments to the trade price of consoles before." British gamers have been asked to take solace in the fact that -- even with the increase -- the Xbox 360 remains "the most affordable console in the market." [Via Edge]
