YouTube TV on Thursday informed its customers via email that the rates for its subscription service will once again increase. Starting in 2025, YouTube TV’s base plan subscription fee will increase from $72.99 to $82.99 per month.
The reason behind the price hike:
“We are making this increase to meet the rising cost of content and to maintain the quality of our service,” YouTube TV spokeswoman Alison Toe said. She noted that the company does not take such decisions lightly and customers are free to cancel the subscription at any time.
The hike is effective immediately for new subscribers, while for existing subscribers the hike will be applicable in their next billing cycle after January 13, 2025.
Initial popularity and variable cost:
Launched in 2017, YouTube TV quickly gained popularity as an affordable and quality entertainment service. YouTube TV was started as an alternative to cable TV, which led many people to cut the cable. Initially, for just $35 a month, customers could watch their favorite shows.
But over time, YouTube TV added Spanish-language channels, live sports broadcasts, and many other add-ons to its service. This caused its subscription price to rise repeatedly.
History of rate hikes:
Let’s take a look at how YouTube TV prices have increased every year:
• 2017: $35 per month
• 2019: $49.99 per month
• 2020: $64.99 per month
• 2023: $72.99 per month
Now, starting in 2025, rates will be $82.99 per month.
Customer rage:
As soon as YouTube TV announced the price hike, many customers took to social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure. Many said the price hike felt familiar, as they have faced similar price hikes many times before.
Some subscribers have started thinking of canceling their subscription due to the high cost of YouTube TV.
Challenges and future solutions:
YouTube TV initially offered the service at a low price to attract customers, but many customers are now fed up with the increasing prices every year. In the future, YouTube TV will need to take some measures to keep prices under control while maintaining the quality of its service.
Gaining the trust of consumers and designing a competitive pricing strategy will be key to YouTube TV’s survival.