In a recent announcement, Apple Music revealed that it is discontinuing its Voice Plan, marking another example of the rising trend of 'streamflation.' The Voice Plan, which allowed subscribers to access their music library through Siri on all devices, was priced at an affordable $4.99 per month. However, new subscribers can no longer sign up for the plan, and existing subscribers' auto-renewal will be turned off at the end of their billing period.

Apple's decision to discontinue the Voice Plan comes with the intention of making way for new features such as immersive Spatial Audio, Apple Music Sing, and other discovery functionalities. As a result, the new cheapest subscription option offered by Apple Music is the Student Apple Music subscription, which is priced at $5.99 per month. For non-student users, the individual subscription is now priced at $10.99 per month, with the family plan costing $16.99 per month.

This shift by Apple is reflective of similar changes seen among other streaming providers, including YouTube and Netflix, who have also increased their subscription prices in recent months. These price hikes and the elimination of lower-priced subscription tiers have created challenges for everyday users who now find it harder to afford streaming services.

In a similar move, Netflix recently raised the cost of its basic plan with ads from $10 to $12, and its premium plan from $20 to $23. This marks the second price hike by Netflix since January 2022. Meanwhile, YouTube's Premium international prices have also seen an increase in several countries, such as Argentina, Australia, Germany, and Turkey. For instance, in Australia, the price has jumped from $11.99 AUD for legacy subscribers to $16.99 AUD.

The concept of 'streamflation' has emerged as a result of these continuous price increases across various streaming platforms. Warner Bros. Discovery's Max, Peacock, and Disney+ have all raised their prices in the past year, contributing to the average monthly price of a major streaming service increasing by nearly 25% from August 2022 to August of this year, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

As streaming services embrace streamflation, the affordability of these platforms for everyday users is becoming a concern. With prices rising and lower-priced subscription options disappearing, consumers are left with fewer choices and may find themselves questioning the value of these services in the long run.

Apple Music's discontinuation of the Voice Plan and the subsequent shift in pricing further highlight the evolving landscape of the streaming industry. While it brings new features for users to enjoy, it also underscores the need for individuals and families to carefully evaluate their streaming subscriptions to ensure they are still affordable and provide value for money in today's constantly evolving market.

With this ever-changing landscape, it remains to be seen how streaming platforms will navigate the balance between generating revenue and maintaining accessibility for a wider range of consumers in the years to come.