According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for cable, satellite, and live streaming television service are 415.35% higher in 2026 versus 1986 (a $83.07 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2026:Cable, satellite, and live streaming television service experienced an average inflation rate of 4.18% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, cable, satellite, and live streaming television service costing $20 in the year 1986 would cost $103.07 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation for cable, satellite, and live streaming television service was higher.
In the year 1986: Pricing changed by 4.40%, which is above the average yearly change for cable, satellite, and live streaming television service during the 1986-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), inflation for cable, satellite, and live streaming television service was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cable, satellite, and live streaming television service, over time, for $20 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $20.00 | 4.40% |
| 1987 | $21.33 | 6.65% |
| 1988 | $23.02 | 7.94% |
| 1989 | $24.95 | 8.36% |
| 1990 | $27.43 | 9.95% |
| 1991 | $30.44 | 10.97% |
| 1992 | $32.25 | 5.93% |
| 1993 | $34.46 | 6.87% |
| 1994 | $34.20 | -0.76% |
| 1995 | $34.76 | 1.64% |
| 1996 | $36.83 | 5.96% |
| 1997 | $39.62 | 7.56% |
| 1998 | $42.47 | 7.21% |
| 1999 | $44.10 | 3.83% |
| 2000 | $46.22 | 4.79% |
| 2001 | $48.22 | 4.34% |
| 2002 | $51.10 | 5.96% |
| 2003 | $53.61 | 4.92% |
| 2004 | $55.85 | 4.16% |
| 2005 | $57.49 | 2.94% |
| 2006 | $59.74 | 3.91% |
| 2007 | $60.88 | 1.91% |
| 2008 | $62.35 | 2.41% |
| 2009 | $63.67 | 2.12% |
| 2010 | $64.50 | 1.31% |
| 2011 | $65.65 | 1.77% |
| 2012 | $68.53 | 4.40% |
| 2013 | $70.42 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $72.08 | 2.36% |
| 2015 | $73.24 | 1.60% |
| 2016 | $75.92 | 3.66% |
| 2017 | $80.06 | 5.45% |
| 2018 | $81.49 | 1.79% |
| 2019 | $83.04 | 1.90% |
| 2020 | $86.63 | 4.32% |
| 2021 | $90.18 | 4.09% |
| 2022 | $93.77 | 3.99% |
| 2023 | $98.67 | 5.22% |
| 2024 | $100.99 | 2.36% |
| 2025 | $103.19 | 2.18% |
| 2026 | $103.07 | -0.12%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Cable, satellite, and live streaming television service:
| Year | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.850 | 110.592 | 115.458 | 123.133 | 132.908 | 144.025 | 158.358 | 175.733 | 186.158 | 198.942 | 197.425 | 200.667 | 212.633 | 228.700 | 245.200 | 254.600 | 266.800 | 278.383 | 294.983 | 309.508 | 322.392 | 331.883 | 344.875 | 351.475 | 359.930 | 367.574 | 372.379 | 378.970 | 395.639 | 406.531 | 416.138 | 422.791 | 438.283 | 462.161 | 470.453 | 479.409 | 500.129 | 520.577 | 541.343 | 569.603 | 583.029 | 595.712 | 595.019 |