Australians cut screen time but pay more as subscription costs hit record high, according to study

Back view portrait of a man watching tv at home in the living room

Australians cut screen time but pay more as subscription costs hit record high, according to study Credit: Vadym Drobot

In this Usap Tayo episode, we discussed Deloitte's Media & Entertainment Consumer Insights report about Australians’ growing subscription expenses, shifting media habits, and why more people are choosing real-life experiences over endless screen time.


Key Points
  • Subscription surge: Average monthly spending on media subscriptions has climbed to $78 in 2025, up 24 per cent from last year, with households now holding nearly four subscriptions each.
  • Screen fatigue: Australians are spending less time on media overall, down 2.5 hours weekly, with social media use dropping 16 per cent, particularly among Boomers.
  • “Hotel California” effect: Many consumers struggle to cancel unwanted subscriptions, with experts criticising the profit-driven systems that make it harder for people to manage costs.

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