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https://nerdist.com/article/every-streaming-cost-increase-in-2025/
We’ve had just about enough of streaming cost increases to last a lifetime. In 2024, we swear streamers were hiking the prices of their platforms once a week. Streaming was supposed to be the great disruptor of cable, bringing consumers more choice, a better experience, and lower costs. But in recent years, it seems like quality-of-life no longer matters for streamers, and they’d rather just tack on ads, price increases, and whatever else they can do to squeeze every last dime out of a consumer. With so many cost increases happening in streaming all the time, it can be hard to keep track of just how many are happening. But we’re here to help. This year, we’re keeping track of all the streaming cost increases and streamer price hikes that take place.
We hope to report there are few to none, but we feel like that won’t be the case. We’ll keep this piece updated as streaming price increases come our way in 2025.
All the Streaming Price Hikes in 2025
1/7/2025 – Discovery+ Increases the Cost of its Ad-Free and Ad-Supported Plans
Seven days into 2025, we had our first streaming price increase. Discovery+ hiked its streaming costs for its ad-free and its ad-supported plans. If you’re subscribed to the streamer, here’s what you can expect. Beginning on 1/7/2025, Discovery+’s ad-supported tier increased from $4.99 to $5.99, a $1 price hike for the streamer. This is the first price hike the ad-supported Discovery+ tier has experienced since it’s launch in 2021. Meanwhile, Discovery+’s ad-free tier increased from $9.99 to $9.99, another 2025 increase of $1 per month. But it’s worth noting that in October 2023, the streamer increased its steaming costs from $6.99 to $8.99. That means in two years, the Discovery+ ad-free option increased by $3/month.
Those subscribed to Discovery+ will see the increased cost reflected in their next 2025 billing cycle or after February 7. Meanwhile, new customers will experience this change immediately.
How Many Streaming Price Increases Will We See in 2025?
We can’t wait to see which streamer increases its costs next. (Not.) But this piece does make us feel like we ought to place bets on just how many price hikes we’ll see this year. Over/under 20? We suppose only time will tell.
The post Every Streaming Cost Increase In 2025: Discovery+ Kicks Off the New Year With a Price Hike appeared first on Nerdist.
We’ve had just about enough of streaming cost increases to last a lifetime. In 2024, we swear streamers were hiking the prices of their platforms once a week. Streaming was supposed to be the great disruptor of cable, bringing consumers more choice, a better experience, and lower costs. But in recent years, it seems like quality-of-life no longer matters for streamers, and they’d rather just tack on ads, price increases, and whatever else they can do to squeeze every last dime out of a consumer. With so many cost increases happening in streaming all the time, it can be hard to keep track of just how many are happening. But we’re here to help. This year, we’re keeping track of all the streaming cost increases and streamer price hikes that take place.
We hope to report there are few to none, but we feel like that won’t be the case. We’ll keep this piece updated as streaming price increases come our way in 2025.
All the Streaming Price Hikes in 2025
1/7/2025 – Discovery+ Increases the Cost of its Ad-Free and Ad-Supported Plans
Seven days into 2025, we had our first streaming price increase. Discovery+ hiked its streaming costs for its ad-free and its ad-supported plans. If you’re subscribed to the streamer, here’s what you can expect. Beginning on 1/7/2025, Discovery+’s ad-supported tier increased from $4.99 to $5.99, a $1 price hike for the streamer. This is the first price hike the ad-supported Discovery+ tier has experienced since it’s launch in 2021. Meanwhile, Discovery+’s ad-free tier increased from $9.99 to $9.99, another 2025 increase of $1 per month. But it’s worth noting that in October 2023, the streamer increased its steaming costs from $6.99 to $8.99. That means in two years, the Discovery+ ad-free option increased by $3/month.
Those subscribed to Discovery+ will see the increased cost reflected in their next 2025 billing cycle or after February 7. Meanwhile, new customers will experience this change immediately.
How Many Streaming Price Increases Will We See in 2025?
We can’t wait to see which streamer increases its costs next. (Not.) But this piece does make us feel like we ought to place bets on just how many price hikes we’ll see this year. Over/under 20? We suppose only time will tell.
The post Every Streaming Cost Increase In 2025: Discovery+ Kicks Off the New Year With a Price Hike appeared first on Nerdist.
Although there are many Star Wars movies currently in development and many Disney+-focused Star Wars series with constantly rumored next seasons, there is only one canon Star Wars project currently planned for 2025. Disney recently confirmed its 2025 slate, and, noticeably, the only Star Wars canon project listed on its schedule was Andor season two. In 2024, for comparison, we saw six Star Wars television series cross our path. We’ve seen reports that Disney planned to reduce its output in such a way, but after the immense amount of Star Wars series that have released in past years, it does feel a little bereft.
Still, if we had to pick just one Star Wars project to see next year—it absolutely would be Andor season two. Andor‘s second season might be the only Star Wars project on Disney’s slate for 2025, but it will surely pack the punch of many. Season one of Andor was among the best seasons of television to ever exist, Star Wars or not. And we’re still thinking about what the show had to say about revolution, freedom, hope, and heroes.
Of course, it’s worth noting that while Andor is the only canon Star Wars project coming this year, we will also see season/volume three of the animated Star Wars series, Star Wars: Visions in 2025. Volume 3 will bring us nine new animated shorts from anime studios in Japan. However, Star Wars: Visions is not considered canon to the main Star Wars universe.
We bet that by 2026, we’ll have at least a few solid Star Wars movie announcements to accompany any further television series overtures. Ahsoka has a confirmed second season in the works, so we’ll likely see that. And rumors of another season of Obi-Wan Kenobi swirl all the time. One season of television series and one Star Wars movie per year is probably more than enough to keep fans happy without overworking the IP. However, if we’re getting only one Star Wars series per year, as we are in 2025, we would encourage Disney and Lucasfilm to set their sights on powerful fare like Andor and more original stories like The Acolyte. (And we wouldn’t mind The Acolyte season two either.)
Even if the Star Wars‘ world is literally shrinking with less projects releasing every year, we’d love for it to spiritually build. In the meanwhile, we’ll look forward to our only 2025 Star Wars offering, Andor season two.
Andor season two’s official synopsis shares:
“Andor,” the acclaimed thriller, returns for its long-awaited conclusion. The twelve episodes of Season Two will carry the story of Cassian Andor and the emerging rebel alliance over the climactic four years that lead to the discovery of The Death Star and the events of “Rogue One.” Season One followed Cassian’s reluctant journey from cynical nobody to revolutionary volunteer. “Andor” Season Two will see him transform from soldier to leader to hero on the way to his epic destiny. From the very first scene, Cassian’s story has activated an ever-widening ensemble of allies and enemies. Season Two will see these relationships intensify as the horizon of galactic war draws near. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound. Who will live to see their dream realized? Who will realize what that dream cost?
Originally published on November 15, 2024.
The post ANDOR Season 2 Is 2025’s Only Canon STAR WARS Project appeared first on Nerdist.
Crunchyroll, the global anime brand, together with Aniplex, Sony Music, and PlayStation Productions, today announced a new anime series adapted from Sucker Punch Productions’ award-winning Ghost of Tsushima video game and its Legends cooperative multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese folktales and mythology.
The Ghost of Tsushima anime will be produced in collaboration with Aniplex, the studio behind globally celebrated series such as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Solo Leveling, and Sword Art Online. The adaptation will be helmed by Director Takanobu Mizuno, with Gen Urobuchi (NITRO PLUS) for Story Composition and animation by KAMIKAZE DOUGA. Together, the team will bring Ghost of Tsushima: Legends’ traditional samurai aesthetics to life with cinematic storytelling and striking visuals. Sony Music will serve as the strategic music and soundtrack partner for the series.
“This project is a testament to the creative synergy within the Sony family, uniting the expertise of PlayStation Studios and PlayStation Productions; the creative team of Sucker Punch Productions and Aniplex; Sony Music’s iconic global artist roster; and Crunchyroll’s fan-first global marketing and distribution footprint,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “The Ghost of Tsushima anime will offer fans an exciting new way to experience the game in an anime style that will be bold and groundbreaking.”
“Having already proven the immense quality and versatility of our gaming properties across multiple successful film and television projects, we couldn’t be more excited to announce our first ever anime adaptation,” said Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions. “Ghost of Tsushima’s rich, immersive world and its fantastical Legends mode based on Japanese mythology provide the perfect canvas for this project, and Aniplex is the perfect partner to translate Sucker Punch Productions’ hit video game into a stunning new anime series.”
“We are excited to create new opportunities for our artists to engage with such an incredible global IP,” said Tom Mackay, President, Premium Content, Sony Music Entertainment. “Music plays such a key role in the overall audience viewing experience and we are thrilled to be working alongside our Sony partners to develop compelling content for fans around the world.”
The series will premiere exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2027. More details, including the creative team and cast, will be revealed in the future. The announcement was made as part of Sony Group Corporation’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) press conference in Las Vegas.
It is an understatement to say that Ghost of Tsushima hit the ground running and made in impact in the gaming world. Jin Sakai’s story of defying the samurai code and his tale of survival hit differently with players anywhere and everywhere. (Our site’s review here.) To quote another contributor, Omar: “My circle knows Jin Sakai put the pandemic on his back and got us through it”. Learning that another chapter in the game’s franchise opens to another character–to our new female protagonist, Atsu in a future game leads cheers, excitement and even the usual, tired discourse from gamers. To which, one of our newer contributors to the site Naliaah offered: “As for the rest of y’all upset about a female lead? Maybe you should try real combat—against your insecurities.”
We still don’t know an entire lot about The Ghost of Tsushima anime. We know that Takanobu Mizuno will be directing, of course. He is perhaps most recently best known for his work on Star Wars: Visions where he directed the ‘The Duel’ episode. It was a fave among the episodes and one where “a wandering stranger with a mysterious past defends a village from powerful bandits”. The rest of the creative team announced seems capable of handling the look, story and aesthetic of what we know of Ghost of Tsushima–but we won’t know for certain until we see more. Come 2027, looking forward to seeing more of this world, expanded–just animated, this time.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
About Aniplex
Aniplex Inc. is a diversified entertainment company operating worldwide with focus on the planning and production of anime video and music content, its distribution in theaters and broadcast syndication as well as their respective physical and digital products, development of related game apps and merchandise such as figurines and apparel, stage production of musicals and live events, and operating the online store “Aniplex Online” which provides hand-picked items for sale.
About PlayStation Productions
Formed in 2019, PlayStation Productions is a production studio dedicated to adapting beloved PlayStation IPs to television and film in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment. In order to deliver high-quality content, PlayStation Productions focuses on partnering with leading creatives that have a strong appreciation for PlayStation Studios IP. Since its inception, PlayStation Productions has been integral in the development of multiple hit projects, including feature length films based on Uncharted and Gran Turismo, and TV series based on Twisted Metal and The Last of Us.
About Sucker Punch Productions
Sucker Punch Productions is the award-winning studio behind the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, inFAMOUS, and Sly Cooper series. Founded in 1997 and based in Bellevue, Washington, the studio is a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and remains dedicated to creating immersive, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant gaming experiences.
About Sony Music Entertainment
At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship. Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies.
Winter Anime 2025 Season is here! Did you catch our site’s review of the start of season two of Solo Leveling?
Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
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The post ‘Ghost of Tsushima’ Anime Announced for 2027 appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
It’s the year 2020, and Mizuha is having the worst 17th birthday ever. Her parents forgot it’s her birthday, she still can’t seem to get close to the senior she likes, and all her school trips and tournaments are canceled thanks to a new disease going around. She’s convinced she’ll never have the kind of youth she’s always dreamt of…until her childhood friend, Mizuki, suddenly asks her out.
Here’s a mostly spoiler free review for the first episode of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You which will premiere on Thursday, January 9, 2025 on Crunchyroll. A big thanks to Crunchyroll for the early access!
“An Awful Birthday”
The very first episode of Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You begins with an adult Mizuha out in the big city, contemplating her adolescence after seeing some students walking the streets. She thinks back on the start of an awful birthday that she had as a teen when she was much more carefree. The audience is transported back to the morning of July 1, 2020 when she wakes up on her birthday–one that everyone seemingly has forgotten. On her way to school, she’s greeted by her four childhood best friends, whom she’s known all her life. She mentions all four boys are partially her siblings as they walk their way to their local high school where they are all second year students.
These childhood friends are the bespectacled Shuugo, the influencer Airu, the blonde and quite observant Shin, and the youngest of the group, Kizuki. Kizuki is perhaps the closest to our main character, labeled as “the baby” of the group, and someone Mizuhan sees as someone to look after. Finally at school, she comes to the realization that her slightly younger male friend is growing up and someone who is eye candy to the girls at school. She’s on a mission though–she’s hoping to meet someone at school who is important to her, and she has a message for them.
What initially drew me to Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You when I was reading the manga (read the Manga, Chapters 1-4, for Free via Kodansha) was Shojo romance via a crushing pandemic. Originally set during when the COVID-19, I remember reading the start of the manga series and really loving how the series was reflecting the times. Mizuha is a teenage girl during a year where everything is cancelled and postponed: sporting tournaments for her athletic friends, classes suspended, firework shows. The world hasn’t stopped completely, but nothing is going right for this girl in the grand scheme of being a teenager and all the plans she had. Not to be dramatic but she comes home that evening thinking to top it off that the people closest to her have forgotten her birthday!
You may watch this first episode of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You and decide that there are no big action scenes. Yet, there is rising action and plenty of scenes where characters are sharing big confessions and connecting the dots on current events within their friend circle popping off. Yes, there are a few swimmers on the high school team (Kizuki is one of them), but this isn’t Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club.
Instead, I do like that most of the action focuses on Mizuha and the catalyst of this very important year of her life with all the transitions and changes that come with it. There’s a big pivotal scene toward the end that is very flashy that fits the high emotional intensity of the scene that audiences will be sure to pay attention to. I loved the nighttime scenes of Mizuha’s birthday evening where her friends surprise her and the audiences both–some serious and others and very comedic via the animation. I’m happy that Typhoon Graphics got assigned this series as they handled Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, another Shojo/Josei leaning fave from the realm of manhwa quite well.
“Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You focuses on all the ups and downs of the brilliant adolescence of a teen girl whose life is upended in 2020. Shojo lovers will recognize a meaningful story starting to build in this very first episode that includes longing, discomfort and several realizations that will change lives forever.”
Verdict
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You has given us a well-paced, charming first episode full of the highs and lows of teenage adolescence. I am a big fan of the story adapted from the manga that resonates for anyone watching who experienced growth, transitions, and many changes: good and bad. So far, it is looking like the manga’s distinctive story is being adapted well to anime, and it is engaging and entertaining to see a newer Shojo series blossoming in its anime version. I am a fan of seeing Mizuha and friends on screen and seeing their different personalities shine as she comes into her seventeenth year and one step closer to being an adult.
As a Shojo stan, I am always hoping that more and more Shojo anime gets to us in the ongoing and very much publicized Shojo anime drought–here’s a great video from one of my faves, Colleen of Colleen’s Manga Recs and another from Phoenix of The Anime Tea. Not only have we been in a decline of Shojo anime (and by association, Josei anime), we’ve also been in a decline of longer running adaptations. Yes, I’m looking at every twelve-episode series that we’ve been receiving with little to no communication of whether we are receiving another season or some other update to see more.
I very much want to see more Shojo anime and more interest from studios in bringing it to us as these stories are very important. Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You brings us a shining example of the genre focusing on all the ups and downs of the brilliant adolescence of a teen girl whose life is upended in 2020. Shojo lovers will recognize a meaningful story starting to build in this very first episode that includes longing, discomfort and several realizations that will change lives forever.
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You
Premiering on Crunchyroll
January 9, 2025
– PRODUCTION STAFF –
Based on the Manga Anyway, I’m Falling in Love With You Created by
Haruka Mitsui
Directed by
Junichi Yamamoto
Series Composition Written by
Yu Murai
Script Written by
Yu Murai and Nagisa Nario
Character Design
Io Shiiba
Sub-Character Design
Katsuzo Hirata
Rena Okuyama
Prop Design
Yoshihiro Ujiie
Daiki Ueda
Art Director
Atsushi Satomi
Art Director
Yuriko Imose
Color Design by
Chieko Hibi
Director of Photography
Yuzuru Funakoshi
Editor
Tsuyoshi Imai
Music Composed by
Keiji Inai
Sound Director
Yasunori Ebina
Animation Producer
Takashi Sakurai
Animation Production by
Typhoon Graphics
– SONGS –
Opening Theme Song “Make It Count” Performed by
INI
Ending Theme Song “Negaigoto” Performed by
Marcy
– JAPANESE VOICE CAST –
Sakura Shinfuku as Mizuho Nishino
Kazuki Ura as Kizuki Hazawa
Sion Yoshitaka as Shin Kashiwagi
Shoya Chiba as Airu Izumi
Satoshi Inomata as Shugo Hoshikawa
Yuto Uemura as Ryosuke Saito
Azusa Tadokoro as Chika Kurashiki
Yūichirō Umehara as Tōgo Hoshikawa
Kaori Nazuka as Manami Shiraishi
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
Cover image: ©Haruka Mitsui, KODANSHA/Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You Production Committee
Read the Manga, Chapters 1-4, for Free via Kodansha
Winter Anime 2025 Season is here! Did you catch our site’s review of the start of season two of Solo Leveling?
How About ZENSHU? Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
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The post Shojo Reflecting The Times: ‘Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You’ Episode 1 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.