Discovery+ Increases Monthly Subscription Fees Following Merger

Discovery+ subscription prices have increased for new subscribers starting today. The ad-free plan now costs $12 per month, up from the previous $10 rate. Monthly plans with advertisements have also risen to $7 from $6. Both Slashdot and Ars Technica confirm that these changes apply immediately to anyone joining the service.

Current users will not see the new rates until after a designated notice period. Subscribers receive 30 days warning before prices take effect for their accounts. The updated costs will first appear on bills issued as of November 12. This streaming platform primarily features unscripted content like reality shows and documentaries.

The price adjustment occurs shortly after Paramount Skydance acquired the parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. Ars Technica notes the deal was finalized a week prior to this announcement, while Slashdot reports the timing as shortly after. The merger has created a new corporate entity formed from the combined companies in the media industry.

A spokesperson for Skydance stated that the pricing changes were not planned in anticipation of the merger closing date. They explained that Discovery+ prices are regularly evaluated to ensure they match content and experience offerings. The company claims these decisions were already in progress before Discovery+ knew about the specific transaction details.

This price hike marks the third time Discovery+ has raised costs since launching in 2012. Before this update, the most recent adjustment occurred in January 2025. The service continues to adjust its fees to align with the experience provided to subscribers over more than a decade.

During the last increase in January 2025, ad-based subscriptions rose from $5 to $6. At that time, ad-free plans went from $9 to $10 before this latest change. These historical adjustments show how the subscription model has evolved with new content and service levels.