After the recent price increases on Disney+ and Hulu (up by USD 2), and ESPN and HBO Max (up by USD 1), major streaming platforms in the USA are preparing for another Black Friday.
Unlike traditional free-trial promotions, this season will once again focus on discounts for paid plans, especially mid and long-term subscriptions. Here’s why: while free trials carry a high cancellation risk, annual or semiannual discounts guarantee upfront revenue and stronger user retention.
As competition intensifies, pricing strategies have become a key tool to secure a more stable and profitable subscriber base.
What to Expect from Black Friday 2025
This year, platforms are expected to double down on two main fronts: ad-supported plans and bundled offers.
Ad-supported tiers will likely once again take center stage, with discounts that could reach 70% to 90%, as in 2024. This model remains essential for attracting new users, especially since 70% of USA consumers prefer lower prices in exchange for ads.
Promotions with 6 to 12 month terms are also expected to continue, designed to extend user lifetimes and ensure steady revenue.
At the same time, bundles are gaining even more traction. Notable examples include the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max package in the USA, and new deals through aggregators like Prime Video and The Roku Channel, offering extended catalogs — HBO Max, Apple TV+, Peacock, and others — at competitive prices.
A standout deal available since 2023 is the Starz + AMC+ bundle on Prime Video for USD 13.99, compared to USD 20.98 separately. And more recently, in November 2025, Prime Video added another major offer: a combined MGM+ + AMC+ Premium + Starz package priced at USD 19.99, versus the USD 28.97 the services would cost individually.
Telecom companies and retailers are also joining the trend with integrated bundles that combine phone, internet, and streaming services. These multi-service offers improve user loyalty and enhance value for money.
A strong precedent was the 2024 Walmart Black Friday, when the retailer paired its Walmart+ membership with Paramount+ (ad-supported) at half price — a move that could return or inspire new collaborations this year.
How Have Previous Years Performed?
In 2024, promotional pricing dominated Black Friday deals (60%), followed by percentage-based discounts (34%), while free trials became increasingly rare. Some niche platforms, like AsianCrush, extended trial periods from 7 to 30 days.
The clearest trend: ad-supported plans became the preferred entry point for users, offering extremely low prices.
The most aggressive offers came from The Walt Disney Company:
Hulu (ad-supported) at USD 0.99/month for 12 months (90% off)
Disney+ & Hulu (ad-supported bundle) at USD 2.99/month for a year
HBO Max adopted a similar strategy with its ad plan at USD 2.99/month for six months (70% off).
Meanwhile, Peacock launched an annual ad-supported plan at USD 19.99, a 75% discount from its regular price.
Prime Video and The Roku Channel also leveraged add-on discounts, offering up to 75% off or USD 0.99/month for two months, giving users easy access to multiple catalogs on one platform.
Why Some Platforms Launch Early
Although Black Friday officially lands in late November, some services — like Mubi, Starz, and Prime Video add-ons — often launch promotions early to stand out in the market.
In 2023, Prime Video released its offers on November 21, days before competitors. The strategy aims to capture attention before the advertising peak, improving visibility and conversion rates.
Outlook for 2025
Black Friday 2025 could solidify a new model where streaming growth depends as much on pricing strategy as on content quality.
In a market shaped by price hikes and selective consumers, discounts, bundles, and ad-supported tiers will remain the main tools for retaining competitiveness and expanding subscriber bases.
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