After Apple TV+ increased subscription costs on October 25, T-Mobile customers wondered if their free access would be disrupted. T-Mobile has confirmed in an email to Cord Cutters News it will continue fronting the bill for its user base.
“For customers enjoying Apple TV+ On Us, it’s still on us! If customers pay for Apple TV+ through T-Mobile, they will see Apple’s price increase reflected on their bill in the coming months,” said T-Mobile.
Apple TV+ On Us is one of T-Mobile’s “perks” that offer additional value to a standard plan. The plan gives customers free access to Apple TV+’s entire content library without paying for it out of pocket, an additional $3 a month for those without the T-Mobile promo.
This isn’t the first price hike Apple TV+ members have seen in recent years. A year ago, the service jumped from $4.99 to $6.99. Now, customers are paying $9.99 a month. While the price isn’t a bank-breaking amount, those who subscribe to multiple streaming services undergoing price changes might feel pressured to take another look at how essential all their memberships are. A few low-dollar price increases across multiple platforms could cost some serial streamers more than signing up for an additional platform.
T-Mobile took a similar tack when Netflix said it would increase prices for its Basic and Premium plans in October and began cracking down on password sharing. T-Mobile quickly assured customers the increased cost wouldn’t be passed along to them, updating its Netflix On Us support page to say the Un-Carrier will stand by its promises to offer customers free or discounted memberships to streaming platforms.
Whether this policy will hold if prices continue to increase is anyone’s guess, but there’s undoubtedly a breaking point. This year, Hulu, Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+ With Showtime, and YouTube Premium all increased prices this year.
T-Mobile launched its Apple TV+ On Us promo in August. The deal is available to customers on the Magenta Plan, though Magenta members can get six months of free access. The company also offers additional streaming deals, including Netflix On Us, 2023 MLS Season Pass On Us, ViX Premium On Us, SiriusXM Platinum On Us, and Pandora Premium On Us, as well as tickets to shows, concerts, and festivals. Check out T-Mobile’s promotional page to see full details on all offers.