Discovery+ has increased subscription prices in the United States by up to 20%, raising the monthly cost of both its ad-supported and ad-free plans. Effective October 13, 2026, the ad-supported subscription increased from $5.99 to $6.99, while the ad-free plan rose from $9.99 to $11.99. New customers are subject to the new rates immediately, while existing subscribers will receive advance notice before the higher prices appear on billing dates on or after November 12.
The price changes arrive shortly after Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing Discovery+ into a larger media group that also owns Paramount+ and HBO Max. However, a Skydance spokesperson told Ars Technica that the increases were planned before the merger closed and were not introduced in anticipation of the transaction. The changes nevertheless come at an important time for the company, as it prepares to unify its streaming services over time and reassess how it packages content for consumers.
Key Takeaways
- Ad-supported plan: Rises from $5.99 to $6.99 per month, an increase of approximately 16.7%.
- Ad-free plan: Increases from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, a 20% rise.
- Effective date: October 13, 2026, for new US subscribers.
- Existing customers: New rates apply on billing dates on or after November 12, with advance notice.
- Merger context: Discovery+ is now part of the Skydance media group following the Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery transaction.
- Future plans: Skydance has said its direct-to-consumer streaming services will be unified into a single service over time.
Discovery+ Subscription Prices Increase in the US
Discovery+ has raised the price of both of its main monthly subscription plans, making the service more expensive for customers who want to watch its catalogue of reality television, documentaries and lifestyle programming.
The ad-supported plan increased by $1 per month, from $5.99 to $6.99. The ad-free subscription rose by $2, moving from $9.99 to $11.99 per month.
| Subscription plan | Previous monthly price | New monthly price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-supported | $5.99 | $6.99 | 16.7% |
| Ad-free | $9.99 | $11.99 | 20.0% |
Source: Discovery+ Help Center and Ars Technica. Prices are in US dollars and exclude applicable taxes.
The difference between the two increases is significant for customers choosing between plans. The ad-supported tier remains the cheaper option, but the additional $1 monthly charge increases the cost of maintaining a subscription throughout the year. The ad-free plan now costs $5 more per month than the ad-supported option.
On an annual basis, assuming a subscription is maintained for 12 months at the new monthly rates, the ad-supported plan costs $83.88 before taxes, compared with $71.88 previously. The ad-free plan costs $143.88 annually, up from $119.88.
These annualised figures exclude promotions, discounts and any changes to a customer’s billing arrangement.
When Will Existing Subscribers Pay the Higher Prices?
The new rates took effect immediately for new subscribers on October 13, 2026. Existing customers will not necessarily see the increase on the same date.
According to the Discovery+ Help Center, subscribers billed directly by Discovery+ or through an app store will be charged the new price on their first billing date on or after November 12. Customers receiving promotional discounts will generally retain their existing price until the promotional period ends.
Subscribers who pay through another provider, such as Amazon Prime Video Channels, DIRECTV, Roku or Sling TV, may receive price-change notices through that provider.
Customers can check their billing arrangements in the Discovery+ account section. This is particularly important for people who subscribe through third-party platforms, because the timing and communication of a price change may depend on the billing provider.
For households paying for multiple streaming services, even a relatively small monthly increase can add to the overall entertainment budget. The impact will depend on how many subscriptions a household maintains and whether it chooses to retain ad-free access.
Why Discovery+ Is Raising Prices
Streaming companies have increasingly raised subscription prices as they seek to balance content costs, technology spending and profitability. Services must pay for programming, distribution, customer support, product development and marketing while competing for consumers who can cancel or switch providers relatively easily.
Discovery+ focuses heavily on unscripted content, including reality television, documentaries and lifestyle programming from brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Investigation Discovery. Its narrower content focus differentiates it from general entertainment platforms, but it also means the company must persuade viewers that its particular catalogue is worth paying for separately.
A Skydance spokesperson told Ars Technica that subscription prices are evaluated regularly to ensure they reflect the content and experience offered. The spokesperson also said the increase had been planned before the merger’s closing date and was not designed in anticipation of the corporate transaction.
The distinction matters because the timing of the price rise could otherwise suggest that the new ownership directly triggered it. The available reporting does not support that conclusion.
Discovery+ last increased its prices in January 2025, when the ad-supported plan rose from $4.99 to $5.99 and the ad-free plan increased from $8.99 to $9.99. The October 2026 increase therefore follows another round of higher subscription fees after roughly 21 months.
Discovery+ Pricing Under the New Skydance Media Group
The price increase comes as Skydance begins integrating assets from Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The combined company has announced that its direct-to-consumer streaming services will be unified into a single service over time.
That ambition creates opportunities as well as challenges. A unified platform could bring a wider content library together in one place, simplify account management and potentially reduce the need for consumers to maintain several separate subscriptions.
Discovery+ offers unscripted programming, while HBO Max is associated with premium scripted series, films and other entertainment. Paramount+ adds another catalogue of movies, series, sports and other programming. Bringing these offerings together could give Skydance a broader service with a more diverse range of content.
However, the company has not yet fully detailed how Discovery+ will fit into the future platform, what subscription tiers will be offered or how prices will be structured. It is therefore too early to conclude whether customers will eventually pay less through bundles or more for a larger combined library.
The timing of the price change also means subscribers face higher standalone costs while the company’s longer-term streaming strategy remains unresolved.
How the Increase Compares With Discovery+’s Earlier Prices
Discovery+ launched in the United States in 2021 with an ad-supported plan priced at $4.99 per month and an ad-free plan at $6.99.
By October 2026, the entry-level plan had risen to $6.99, while the ad-free subscription reached $11.99. Compared with launch prices, that represents an increase of approximately 40% for the ad-supported plan and 71.5% for the ad-free plan.
| Pricing milestone | Ad-supported plan | Ad-free plan |
|---|---|---|
| Launch pricing in 2021 | $4.99 | $6.99 |
| Before January 2025 increase | $4.99 | $8.99 |
| Before October 2026 increase | $5.99 | $9.99 |
| New price from October 2026 | $6.99 | $11.99 |
Source: Ars Technica and Discovery+ pricing announcements. Figures are monthly US prices.
The comparison shows that the ad-free tier has experienced the larger cumulative percentage increase. That may influence customer decisions, particularly for subscribers who primarily use the service for occasional viewing rather than watching its programmes regularly.
Consumers who want to reduce their streaming bills may consider switching to the ad-supported tier, cancelling during periods when they do not watch much content, or comparing the standalone service with future bundle options.
What the Price Increase Means for Streaming Competition
Discovery+’s higher subscription fees reflect a wider shift in the streaming industry. Providers have increasingly focused on generating sustainable profits rather than prioritising subscriber growth at any cost.
Higher prices can improve revenue per subscriber, but they also create the risk of cancellations. The effect depends on the strength of the content catalogue, how frequently customers use the service and whether alternatives offer better value.
For Discovery+, the central challenge is retaining viewers who subscribe specifically for reality shows, documentaries and lifestyle programming. These customers may be less interested in paying for a larger general-entertainment package if it includes content they rarely watch.
For Skydance, the eventual combination of Discovery+, HBO Max and Paramount+ could make the overall proposition more attractive by bringing several distinct libraries together. But the company will need to decide whether to maintain different subscription tiers, introduce bundles or move customers to a unified platform.
The outcome will influence how the company balances customer affordability against its need to improve streaming economics.
The Bigger Picture
Discovery+’s price increase illustrates the continued pressure on streaming companies to raise revenue from existing subscribers while managing the cost of content and technology. The ad-supported plan has become more expensive, and the ad-free tier now carries a larger monthly premium. Although the changes were reportedly planned before the Skydance merger closed, their timing places them within a broader period of strategic change for the new media group.
The larger question is how Skydance will organise and price its streaming portfolio over the coming years. A combined service could offer customers a broader catalogue and simpler access, but the benefits will depend on its pricing, content selection and user experience. Until the company announces specific plans, subscribers must evaluate Discovery+ based on its current standalone offering.
Looking Ahead
Existing Discovery+ customers should watch for billing notices and check when their individual subscriptions will move to the new rates. Those who primarily use the ad-free plan may want to compare its annual cost with the value they receive from the service, while ad-supported subscribers can weigh the lower monthly price against advertising interruptions. Any promotional discounts or third-party billing arrangements may affect the timing of a change.
For Skydance, the next major development will be greater clarity about the planned integration of Discovery+, HBO Max and Paramount+. The company will need to balance the appeal of a larger content library with subscription affordability and the risk of customer cancellations. Its eventual strategy will help determine whether the price increase is an isolated adjustment or part of a broader restructuring of its streaming business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Discovery+ cost after the October 2026 increase?
The US ad-supported plan now costs $6.99 per month, while the ad-free plan costs $11.99 per month, before applicable taxes.
2. How much have Discovery+ prices increased?
The ad-supported plan increased by $1 per month, or approximately 16.7%. The ad-free plan rose by $2, equivalent to a 20% increase.
3. When will existing Discovery+ subscribers pay the new prices?
Existing subscribers billed directly by Discovery+ or through an app store will see the new price on their first billing date on or after November 12, 2026. Other billing providers may communicate the changes separately.
4. Is the price increase a result of the Skydance merger?
A Skydance spokesperson told Ars Technica that the increases were planned before the merger closed and were not introduced in anticipation of the deal.
5. What content does Discovery+ offer?
Discovery+ focuses on reality television, documentaries and lifestyle programming, including content associated with HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Investigation Discovery.
6. Will Discovery+ merge with HBO Max and Paramount+?
Skydance has said its direct-to-consumer streaming services will be unified into a single service over time. The company has not yet fully disclosed the final platform structure, pricing or transition details.
7. Can subscribers avoid the price increase?
Subscribers can review available plan options, promotional terms and cancellation settings. Switching plans or cancelling may be possible depending on the billing provider and subscription terms.
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