Black Friday Streaming Wars 2025: Deep Discounts from Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Peacock

The 2025 Holiday Streaming Rush: Deep Discounts Return

As the holiday season begins in November 2025, major streaming platforms are once again engaging in aggressive subscriber acquisition campaigns, offering some of the steepest discounts of the year. This annual tradition, centered around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is critical for services looking to boost their subscriber counts before the end of the fiscal year.

This year, the focus remains heavily on the ad-supported tiers, allowing platforms like Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Peacock to significantly lower the barrier to entry while still monetizing through advertising revenue. For consumers, these limited-time offers represent a substantial opportunity to sample premium content at unprecedented prices, often saving hundreds of dollars over the course of the introductory period.

Unpacking the Major Black Friday Streaming Deals

The deals are generally structured to attract new users or eligible returning subscribers who have been off the service for a specified period (typically 3 to 6 months). Understanding the duration and the specific tier offered is crucial for maximizing savings.

Hulu’s Aggressive Subscriber Acquisition Play

Hulu has historically led the charge with one of the most compelling Black Friday offers, designed to bring in massive volumes of new users. The 2025 deal follows this precedent:

• The Offer: The Hulu (with Ads) plan is available for just $0.99 per month.
• Duration: This discounted rate is valid for 12 months.
• Standard Price: The usual price for the Hulu (with Ads) tier is $7.99 per month.
• Total Savings: Subscribers save approximately $84 over the year.
• Eligibility: Typically restricted to new subscribers and select returning subscribers who canceled their service many months prior.

This deal is a clear strategy to hook users on Hulu’s extensive library of current and classic television, leveraging the ad revenue to offset the low subscription cost.

Disney+ and the Bundle Strategy

While Disney+ often focuses on bundled value, its standalone Black Friday offer targets users interested primarily in Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content. This year’s offer is designed for short-term sampling:

• The Offer: The Disney+ (with Ads) plan is available for $1.99 per month.
• Duration: This promotional price lasts for three months.
• Standard Price: The regular price for the Disney+ (with Ads) tier is $7.99 per month.
• Eligibility: New and eligible returning subscribers.

This three-month window covers the peak holiday viewing period, allowing users to catch major seasonal releases and then decide whether to continue at the full price.

Max and Peacock: Annual Savings Opportunities

Both Max (formerly HBO Max) and Peacock are offering significant discounts, often focusing on longer-term commitments or substantial percentage reductions to secure annual revenue.

Max (Ad-Supported Tier)

Max, home to HBO content and Warner Bros. Discovery library, is offering a deal that emphasizes long-term commitment at a lower monthly cost:

• The Offer: 70% off the standard monthly price for the Max (with Ads) tier.
• Duration: The discount is applied for six months.
• Standard Price: The regular monthly price for this tier is $9.99.
• Promotional Price: Approximately $3.00 per month.

Peacock Premium

NBCUniversal’s Peacock often focuses on converting users to annual plans, providing the best overall value for those committed to its library, which includes live sports, next-day NBC content, and original programming.

• The Offer: Peacock Premium (with Ads) for $19.99 for a full year.
• Standard Price: The regular annual price is $59.99.
• Total Savings: A saving of $40, or roughly 67% off the annual rate.
• Alternative: A discounted monthly rate may also be offered, such as $1.99 per month for 12 months.

Comparative Analysis of 2025 Streaming Deals

To help users determine the best value, here is a comparison of the key Black Friday deals, focusing on the ad-supported tiers which are the primary focus of these promotions:

The Strategic Shift to Ad-Supported Tiers

The prevalence of ad-supported tiers in these Black Friday promotions highlights a significant trend in the streaming industry: the necessity of diversified revenue streams. By offering the ad-supported tier at near-zero cost, companies achieve several strategic goals:

1. Volume Acquisition: They rapidly increase the total number of households using their platform, which is a key metric for investors.
2. Ad Inventory Monetization: Even at a low subscription rate, the services generate significant revenue from advertisers who pay premium rates to reach a guaranteed audience size.
3. Upsell Opportunity: Users who dislike the ads can be easily upsold to the higher-priced, ad-free tiers after the promotional period expires.

“These Black Friday deals are less about short-term profit and more about securing household penetration,” said a media analyst familiar with the streaming market. “For services like Hulu and Peacock, driving volume through the ad-supported model is the most effective way to compete against the established giants while maintaining a healthy advertising business.”

Important Considerations for Subscribers

While the savings are substantial, subscribers must pay close attention to the fine print to avoid unexpected charges.

1. The Automatic Renewal Trap

All Black Friday streaming deals are introductory offers. Once the promotional period ends (whether 3, 6, or 12 months), the subscription automatically renews at the full, standard monthly or annual price unless the user actively cancels the service. Users should set calendar reminders for the cancellation date to manage their subscriptions effectively.

2. Eligibility Requirements

These deals are almost universally aimed at new subscribers. If you currently have a subscription or canceled recently (e.g., within the last 90 days), you are likely ineligible. Always review the specific terms and conditions on the service provider’s website before attempting to sign up.

3. Ad Load Expectations

Subscribers opting for the ad-supported tiers should be prepared for commercial interruptions. While the ad load is generally lighter than traditional cable television, it is a necessary trade-off for the heavily discounted price. If an ad-free experience is paramount, these specific Black Friday promotions may not be the best fit.

Key Takeaways for Cord-Cutters

For consumers looking to maximize their entertainment budget this holiday season, here are the essential points regarding the 2025 Black Friday streaming deals:

• Best Value for 12 Months: The Hulu $0.99/month deal and the Peacock $19.99/year offer provide the longest commitment at the lowest effective monthly rate.
• Short-Term Trial: The Disney+ $1.99/month for three months is ideal for testing the service or catching specific holiday content without a long-term commitment.
• Ad-Supported Focus: Nearly all deep discounts apply exclusively to the cheaper, ad-supported tiers.
• Set Reminders: Crucially, mark your calendar for the renewal date to ensure you cancel or downgrade before the full price kicks in.
• Check Eligibility: Confirm you meet the criteria (usually being a new subscriber) before signing up to avoid disappointment.

These deals underscore the competitive nature of the streaming market in 2025, providing a temporary but significant win for the cost-conscious consumer.