Discovery+ Subscription Prices Increase Following Skydance Merger

Discovery+ Price Adjustments Implemented

Discovery+ has raised its subscription fees, with the ad-supported plan now costing $7 per month, an increase of $1. The ad-free option has also seen a price bump of $2, bringing its monthly cost to $12.

Rollout for Subscribers

The new pricing structure is immediately effective for new Discovery+ members. Current subscribers will receive a 30-day notification, with the updated rates applying to their bills on or after November 12. This marks the third price increase for Discovery+ since its launch in 2012, with the previous adjustment occurring in January 2025.

Context of the Merger

These price changes come approximately one week after Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery completed their merger, forming the new entity Skydance. While the timing suggests a connection, a Skydance spokesperson stated that the pricing adjustments were planned prior to the merger's closing date and were not a direct result of the merger itself. The spokesperson indicated that Discovery+'s prices are regularly evaluated to align with the content and experience offered by the service.

Future Streaming Strategy

Skydance has indicated plans to consolidate its primary streaming services, Paramount+ and HBO Max, into a single offering. It is possible that Discovery+ could eventually be integrated into this combined platform, potentially with separate content sections or channels, similar to Disney+'s approach with its various brands. The new entity faces an $80 billion debt, which may lead to further cost-cutting measures and potential price increases across its services.