Sportsnet Streaming Price Hike: Subscribers Call It Overpriced
Sportsnet+ Price Hike Sparks Outrage Among Subscribers
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Sports fans are expressing notable dissatisfaction following Sportsnet+’s announcement of a significant price increase, set to take effect in September. The streaming service,owned by Rogers Sports & Media,has informed its customers of upcoming changes that include a nearly 30% jump in its premium annual package,raising the cost from $249.99 to $324.99.
The price hike extends to both premium and standard subscription tiers. The premium monthly package will see an increase from $34.99 to $42.99.For those opting for standard subscriptions, the monthly rate will rise from $24.99 to $29.99, while the standard annual subscription will increase from $199.99 to $249.99.
A spokesperson for Sportsnet+ defended the price adjustments, stating in a release, “this update reflects that great value for sports fans looking for the best sports content in the country, while remaining competitively priced with other options in the market.”
Understanding Subscription Tiers
The distinction between standard and premium subscriptions lies in the content offered. Standard subscriptions provide access to all Blue Jays content, as well as national and in-market hockey games. Premium subscriptions encompass all standard content, with the added benefit of streaming all out-of-market hockey games, amounting to approximately 1,000 additional NHL matchups per season.
These revised pricing structures will be reflected on customer bills starting September 9th. Subscribers have the option to cancel or modify their subscriptions before this date to avoid the increased charges.
Customer Backlash and Cancellation Concerns
The announcement has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many subscribers voicing their intent to cancel their subscriptions. The significant price increase has been met with widespread criticism, with many deeming it excessive and a sign of “insane greed.”
On platforms like Reddit,users have expressed shock and frustration. One user commented, “30 per cent? Jesus. That’s crazy,I feel like you can slip a 5-10 per cent increase without peopel complaining too much but 30% is an outright middle finger to the existing subscriber base.” Another user lamented, “Welp, guess I’m cancelling. $75 Extra per year, for what exactly?” The sentiment that the increase is “Totally not worth the price increase” is prevalent among disgruntled customers.Adding to the discontent, some customers who had recently committed to annual subscriptions are facing unexpected cancellations of their existing plans. One X user shared their dismay: “Hey [Sportsnet] with your price increase, I was going to cancel. I paid in October 2024 for an annual subscription so it’s pretty messed up that you’d cancel me as of tomorrow when I’ve paid up until October 2025. Insane greed.” This situation has further fueled the negative reaction, with many feeling unfairly treated by the service’s new policy.