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Digital Subscription Costs Surge 20% Since 2020, Data Shows

Yahoo Tech •
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Americans now pay nearly 20% more for streaming services, music platforms, and digital subscriptions compared to 2020, according to new research from DepositAccounts. The analysis examined 15 popular services including Hulu, Spotify, and Zoom Pro, revealing how subscription costs have climbed across entertainment and productivity tools.

Some services have seen dramatic price increases. Disney+ subscribers face a 110% jump in costs when adjusted for inflation, while Apple TV+ standard plans have surged 108% since 2020. These hikes come as streaming now accounts for 48% of TV viewership, surpassing traditional broadcast and cable according to Nielsen data.

Despite rising costs, the average subscriber maintains 4.5 services at $84 monthly or $1,008 annually. One-third of consumers have cancelled at least one paid subscription in the past six months due to price concerns, according to a January survey of 2,000 people. Not all platforms have raised prices - Apple iCloud storage costs have dropped nearly 20% and Apple Music prices have fallen over 12% since 2020.