Fubo, known for its sports-centric offerings, has recently announced a price adjustment that has caught the attention of its subscribers and potential users alike. The company has increased the cost of its English-language streaming plans, a move that reflects broader trends in the streaming industry where rising content costs are often passed on to consumers.

According to a report on The Streamable, Fubo has raised the prices of its streaming plans by $5 each. This adjustment sets the new starting price for both the Essential and Pro plans at $84.99 per month, while the more comprehensive Elite plan now costs $94.99 monthly. A Fubo spokesperson explained this increase by citing “rising costs from our programming partners,” which is a familiar refrain as streaming services grapple with the escalating expenses of securing content in a highly competitive market.

“We only make adjustments when necessary,” the spokesperson told The Streamable, emphasizing Fubo’s commitment to maintaining competitiveness while ensuring subscribers continue to enjoy a rich array of channels, features, and live events. This statement underscores the delicate balance streaming services must strike between profitability and customer satisfaction, especially in an era where viewers have more choices than ever.

Fubo’s Essential plan, introduced in December, was initially priced at $80 per month. It was designed to be a more affordable entry point for users, offering largely the same features as the Pro plan but without the inclusion of regional sports networks (RSNs). This omission is significant because it traditionally comes with an additional fee, which can range up to $16 monthly, depending on the user’s location. The Essential plan thus aimed to cater to those less interested in local sports broadcasts, providing a baseline service for those looking to cut costs.

However, with the recent price adjustment, the Essential plan now matches the Pro plan in price, blurring the lines of what consumers might choose based on cost alone. The Pro plan, for its part, includes RSNs, which might be a deciding factor for sports enthusiasts in regions where local games are a big draw.

With this price increase, Fubo has positioned itself as a more expensive option compared to some of its competitors. YouTube TV, which also raised its subscription fee by $10 earlier in the same month, remains a slightly cheaper alternative despite the hike. Similarly, Hulu + Live TV, which is part of Disney‘s portfolio and with which Fubo is discussing a merger, charges less for its service, offering another competitive point for viewers to consider.

This price adjustment by Fubo is part of a larger trend where streaming services are increasing costs to manage their financials amidst the high costs of content acquisition and production. The streaming market has seen a significant influx of players, each vying for exclusive content and viewers, leading to a scenario where even giants like Netflix have had to adjust their pricing structures multiple times over the past few years.

For Fubo, this hike might not just be about covering costs but also about positioning itself strategically ahead of its proposed merger with Hulu + Live TV. The merger could potentially lead to a more varied content offering or even further price adjustments once the integration is complete. However, for now, subscribers are facing the immediate impact of these changes, prompting some to reassess their streaming subscriptions in light of their budgets and viewing priorities.