According to recent data from the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), streaming subscription prices surged significantly in 2025. From December 2024 to December 2025, prices for video streaming services and gaming rentals rose by 29 percent.
Overview of Inflation Rates
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) indicates that overall prices increased by 2.7 percent during the same period. This index reflects the spending habits of over 90 percent of the American population.
Categories Affected by Price Increases
The CPI-U for subscription and rental services encompasses:
- Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms, like Netflix and Disney+
- One-time rentals of video and video game media
This coverage includes both physical copies and digital streaming or temporary downloads. In comparison, traditional cable and satellite services experienced a lower inflation rate of 4.9 percent.
Monthly Trends
The BLS recorded a striking increase of 19.5 percent in prices for subscriptions and rentals from November to December 2025 alone. This makes streaming and gaming services the fastest-growing category in terms of inflation.
Contextualizing the Data
In comparison to other categories, the inflation within streaming and gaming subscriptions surpassed all other consumer items tracked by the CPI-U. For example:
- Instant coffee: 28 percent
- Roasted coffee: 18.7 percent
- Uncooked beef steaks: 17.8 percent
The BLS emphasizes that this unadjusted data is critical for consumers who are directly affected by the prices they pay. The index does not account for fluctuations that occur annually due to seasonal changes, production cycles, or holiday sales.
Conclusion
The sharp inflation in streaming subscription prices in 2025 highlights a significant trend in consumer spending behaviors. As entertainment platforms adjust their pricing, consumers may need to reevaluate their budget and subscription choices in light of these cost increases.
