Billing platforms surge as payments, laws, and markets evolve

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Spotify launches new multi-tier Premium lineup

Spotify rolled out new Premium Lite, Standard, and Platinum tiers across five markets, introducing lossless audio, AI-powered DJ features, and revamped multi-seat options. The update marks a broader shift in streaming toward globalized pricing and AI-enhanced premium value. Read more

Walmart+ introduces new travel perks

Walmart+ expanded its membership benefits with hotel discounts and travel credits through its Expedia partnership, strengthening its position as a multi-vertical loyalty and value ecosystem. Read more

Disney+ considers raising ad-free prices in 2026

Disney is modeling another ad-free price increase as subscriber momentum shifts toward bundled plans with Hulu. This reflects the broader industry trend of streaming platforms using blended tiers to boost retention, reduce churn, and increase perceived value. Read more

Adobe moves more creative tools to subscription-only

Adobe announced that several legacy desktop apps will soon be available exclusively through cloud subscriptions, continuing the industry migration toward centralized, subscription-first software delivery. Read more

YouTube Premium surpasses 100M global subscribers

YouTube confirmed it has crossed 100 million paid subscribers, driven by strong demand for ad-free viewing, Shorts monetization, and bundled music-video experiences. Read more

Shopify reports surge in AI-driven shopping

Shopify says traffic from AI tools to its merchants is up 7× since January, with AI-assisted purchases rising 11×. The company calls AI the biggest shift since the internet and is investing in agentic commerce through partnerships with OpenAI, Perplexity, and Copilot. Read more

New from Recurly

Now on demand I From holiday peaks to 2026 growth: The subscriptions + payments playbook

In this session, Recurly and PayPal go beyond holiday strategy to explore what subscriber expectations will look like in 2026. Watch the full conversation