Why millions could suddenly pay much more for subscriptions by 2028

Imagine opening your bank statement in 2028 and feeling your heart skip a beat—not from excitement, but from the eye-watering sum you’re spending on subscriptions. Movies, music, news, AI tools: the digital buffet that once seemed like a cheap date is about to demand champagne prices.

The Subscription Boom: Where Did All These Fees Come From?

The French have a soft spot for monthly subscriptions. Whether it’s television, press, or artificial intelligence, these services pile on top of their already significant internet and phone bills. But buckle up: prices that once seemed manageable could leap dramatically in the next four years. The main culprit? Providers who, until now, have kept offers intentionally cheap, according to several reports.

Why this love affair with subscriptions? Access to vast catalogs—films, journals, music. From Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+ to Deezer, Spotify, Cafeyn, and even ChatGPT, it’s easy to see how costs add up. Sports enthusiasts don’t escape either, hopping between Canal+, beIN Sports, Eurosport, and Ligue 1+. Yes, you can have it all—if your wallet is ready.

Brace Yourself: The Price Hike Ahead

Here’s where it gets really spicy. RMC, referencing research from Spliiit—a service that helps users “save on subscriptions by joining a large community” spanning over 300 offers—highlights a new reality. By 2030, standard digital subscriptions could cost French consumers up to 230 euros per month. And this isn’t for the diamond-encrusted VIP packages. Just standard stuff.

But why? Cast your mind back a decade: platforms priced their subscriptions deliberately low. Journalist Maxime Guény (TeleStar, Media+) explains that for almost ten years, the goal was to undercharge and win over the marketplace. That golden era, however, is officially over. With user growth slowing, platforms want to turn a profit—and they’re doing just that. Proof? Ad-supported packages now pepper every service.

The main players under the research microscope are streaming platforms, including heavyweights like HBO and Disney+. The monthly bill could blow past 200 euros soon, not just due to prices but also the relentless wave of new services and choices (and the temptations they bring). At the moment, you can cobble together one or two streaming and music subscriptions for roughly 20 euros a month. But the clock is ticking.

Why the Sudden Jump?

• For years, prices were strategically kept low to attract new users.
• The market is now saturated, so growth is slowing down—and profits must be made.
• Competition has exploded, with new streaming, AI, and creative tool options constantly launching.
• Providers have started including ads or splitting services into smaller, more expensive tiers.

And don’t get too comfortable: if you tack on AI subscriptions (like ChatGPT), press or graphic creation tools (think Canva), your bill shoots up even further. According to a Spliiit spokesperson, consumers can expect yearly increases between 10 and 15%. For some context, Netflix alone raised prices by a staggering 83% over ten years. That’s a number that could make anyone re-think binge-watching that next series.

What Are People Doing About It?

Such relentless inflation has forced many to seek creative hacks. More and more French consumers are turning to community platforms like Spliiit to split the cost, or opting for old-school password sharing, even if those acrobatics grow trickier every year. As prices sneak upwards, these survival tactics may soon become essential knowledge.

The bottom line? If you thought keeping up with your favorite shows, news feeds, music playlists, and AI gadgets was already tough on your wallet, brace yourself: digital subscriptions are on track for a rocket-like price trajectory. The deals of yesterday are fading fast—and it may be time to make some tough choices before 2028 arrives. Maybe grab a pen and finally tally up all those monthly charges… before your future self does it with a calculator and tears in their eyes.