

All these replies and you’re the only one to mention the apps. It’s absolutely one of the reasons why (beyond them using “inflation” to cover for straight greed).
By jacking their prices way up, and only offering discounts via their apps, they win either way - You pay ridiculous amounts, or you pay slightly less ridiculous amounts and they get your data.
“Broad listening” sounds like a system ripe to be exploited by very loud but minority voices…