Netflix, Disney+, and Max raise prices: What you'll pay now

New year, new prices. If you're a Netflix, Disney+, Max, or several other subscribers, prepare your wallet. The major streaming platforms have announced price increases in Mexico for 2025. We'll break down the new costs for you.

The era of cheap streaming appears to be over. Major digital entertainment companies, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Max (formerly HBO Max), have begun adjusting their rates upward for 2025, in a move aimed at improving profitability after years of aggressive competition for subscribers.

This change in strategy will directly impact the wallets of millions of households in Mexico, where consumption of these platforms has become a mainstay of family entertainment. To ensure the increase doesn't take you by surprise, we've prepared a detailed comparative guide to the new prices and what you get with each plan.

For ease of viewing, here's a summary of the changes. All prices are in Mexican pesos (MXN) and correspond to the monthly rate.

Note: Disney+ and Max prices reflect adjustments made at the end of 2024 and remain unchanged for the beginning of 2025. The largest recent increase is for Netflix, which increased its Standard with Ads, Standard, and Premium plans by 20, 30, and 30 pesos, respectively.

The price increase, led this time by Netflix, responds to several industry trends:

• Pursuit of profitability: After the "streaming wars," where the goal was to attract users at any cost, companies are now focusing on making their operations profitable. Netflix, for example, broke subscriber records just before announcing the increases, signaling a shift in strategy.
• Investment in content: Producing high-caliber series and films like "Stranger Things" or "The Crown" costs millions of dollars. Price increases help finance these major productions.
• Fighting shared accounts: The increase in premium plans and the introduction of the "Extra Member" option on platforms like Disney+ are strategies to monetize users who share their passwords outside the home.
• Boosting ad-supported plans: By making ad-free plans more expensive, platforms incentivize users to upgrade to the cheaper ad-supported versions, opening up a lucrative new avenue for advertising revenue.

"The strategy has changed. It's no longer about who has the most subscribers, but rather who has the most profitable subscribers. Prices will continue to adjust," comments one entertainment industry analyst.

Choosing the "right" platform increasingly depends on your spending habits and budget.

• For those looking for the widest catalog (and don't mind ads): Netflix's Standard Ad-Supported plan for $119 is still a very competitive option.
• For families with kids and sports fans: Disney+ maintains its pricing and offers a robust package with content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and access to ESPN. The Premium plan for $299 is ideal for households with multiple users.
• For movie buffs and fans of prestigious series, Max offers the acclaimed catalog of HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery. Its Platinum plan, for $249, offers the highest picture and sound quality (4K and Dolby Atmos) at a lower price than Netflix Premium.

The era of having every subscription without considering the cost is over. 2025 forces consumers to be more selective and evaluate which content is truly worth their money.