Your Housewives Streaming Habit Is About to Get More Expensive

By Josef Adalian, who has covered the television industry since 1992  and writes Buffering, a newsletter about streaming

Planning to subscribe to Peacock to watch the Olympics this summer? It's gonna cost you. The NBCUniversal-owned streamer has decided to hike its subscription rates (again), exactly a year after its last increase. Starting July 18, the cost of Peacock's entry-level ad-supported tier for new customers will go up a whopping 25 percent to $7.99 per month (vs. the current $5.99), while rising a slightly less painful 16 percent to $13.99 (vs. $11.99) for the (nearly) ad-free level of the service. The new price structure rolls out a week before the July 26 opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics, making it easier for NBCU to monetize all those cord-cutters who wake up that Friday and decide they want to stream the games.

The Peacock folks aren't entirely heartless, though: Existing loyal subscribers won't have to start paying the new rates until their first billing cycle on or after August 17. That means you can pay the current rate to cheer on Team USA — and then cancel Peacock if you don't want to pay $8 a month for your Housewives and Below Deck addictions. Your other option, if you really love your Peacock, is to pay for a year in advance. You can currently snag a year of Peacock for $59.99 (with ads) or $119.99 (no ads), which represents a substantial savings over the new monthly fee. But keep an eye on the calendar: Peacock is also raising the costs of its annual plans in July, bumping them up to $79.99 and $139.99, respectively. Look, somebody has to pay for all of Dick Wolf's shows (and maybe some NBA games, too).

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