CPI taken from https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
I fudged the CPI calculation a bit because I didn't do the compounding monthly, but I ensured that based on the CPI calculator, the starting value of $11.99 -> $16.43 from January 2013 -> December 2024.
To be fair, I think CPI is somewhat bullshit, but it was the easiest .gov source for inflation data that I knew about.
Data:
| Year | Basic | Standard with Ads | Standard | Premium | Premium Following CPI | CPI Inflation % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $7.99 | - | - | – | - | - |
| 2012 | $7.99 | - | - | – | - | - |
| 2013 | $7.99 | - | $9.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | 1.58% |
| 2014 | $7.99 | - | $10.99 | $13.99 | $12.19 | -0.89% |
| 2015 | $7.99 | - | $11.99 | $14.99 | $12.09 | 1.37% |
| 2016 | $7.99 | - | $11.99 | $14.99 | $12.26 | 2.50% |
| 2017 | $7.99 | - | $12.99 | $15.99 | $12.57 | 2.07% |
| 2018 | $7.99 | - | $12.99 | $15.99 | $12.84 | 1.55% |
| 2019 | $8.99 | - | $13.99 | $16.99 | $13.05 | 2.49% |
| 2020 | $8.99 | - | $14.99 | $18.99 | $13.38 | 1.40% |
| 2021 | $8.99 | - | $14.99 | $18.99 | $13.58 | 7.48% |
| 2022 | $9.99 | - | $15.49 | $19.99 | $14.60 | 6.41% |
| 2023 | Phased Out | $6.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 | $15.55 | 3.09% |
| 2024 | – | $6.99 | $15.49 | $22.99 | $16.04 | 2.33% |
| 2025 | – | $7.99 | $17.99 | $24.99 | $16.43 | - |
edit: fixed a calculation mistake (accidentally was using 2012->2025 inflation not 2013->2025) edit 2: zeroed y axis
That's on me, I explained myself horribly there.:-D
Also I was speaking to my ignorance, and that never comes across well - like I was saying that I don't know what other features the Premium plan even offers, above the others. Hypothetically, if more were offered, then the price increase might make more sense?
I've never had nor will ever have the Premium plan though, so in the end I don't really care what its price is, except that if it keeps the company fed and allows the lower plans to stay cheaper then good for it?
I care WAY more about that tiny little blip, just one year's spike in the standard plan over the last year, then everything else that increased. And the blue did not increase, much.
So if the rich have to pay more now, boo hoo? While the blue remains the same = good? And, prior to 2025, which I don't really understand, the red / Standard likewise?
But your title focuses entirely on the increase in the Premium plan. Which, if that's what you want to do is your call, and yet I felt like there was a lack of explanation as to why (not that you have to go do it, just saying that would be the next step, in order to interpret these raw numbers), and a whole story about the blue and red lines that runs counter to the story for the (particularly yellow) Premium plan(s).
Lol all good and fair points.
I just focused on premium because that's what I had prior to cancelling. So totally just focused on what directly impacted me. I should have included both and called out the removal of 'basic' and forcing users to either pay more for standard or accept ads
Frankly, across the board it's just standard enshitification.
I think my other thought is I don't think you should have to be rich to be able to stream a higher bitrate. Sure maybe it costs more storage / bandwidth but I don't think it should be something only rich people can afford.
Ah I get you now. Yeah, I probably would have cancelled it as well in this case:-).