Disney recently announced that it will be increasing the prices of its popular streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Starting in mid-October, most subscription plans will see a price increase of $1 to $2 per month. The most notable increase will be on Hulu’s plans that include live TV, which will now cost $6 more per month. Disney+ will now be priced at $9.99 for the basic plan and $15.99 for the premium plan. Additionally, Hulu with ads will cost $9.99 per month while the ad-free version will be priced at $18.99 per month. ESPN+ will also see a price hike, now costing $11.99 per month.
The price increases come as Disney continues to push its customers towards subscribing to bundles to get a better value for their money. For some time now, Disney has been offering different bundles of its streaming services, such as Hulu and Disney+, or a combination of both services with ESPN+. The existing bundle of Disney+ and Hulu, which includes ads, will also see a price increase to $10.99 per month. However, the bundle without ads will remain at its current rate of $19.99 per month. Additionally, Disney has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max, available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 for a commercial-free experience, offering a 38% savings compared to purchasing the services separately.
In an effort to entice subscribers and provide added value, Disney has also announced new features such as ABC News Live and curated playlists featuring preschool content that will be available to all subscribers starting September 4th. The company plans to introduce four more curated playlists for premium subscribers, aiming to enhance the overall subscriber experience. Alisa Bowen, president of the streaming platform, emphasized the importance of providing the best value to subscribers every time they open Disney+ through new features and content additions.
With the upcoming fiscal third-quarter earnings report set to be released, Disney is strategically making changes to increase its revenue and provide a better streaming experience for its subscribers. By adjusting prices and offering new bundles and features, Disney aims to maintain its position as a leading streaming service provider in a competitive market. The price increases on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ are part of Disney’s strategy to maximize revenue and meet the evolving needs of its subscribers.