Disney’s price increases for its US streaming plans arrived today, just a year after the last increase.
The increases affect Disney+, Hulu and ESPN, the entertainment giant’s three streaming services.
As of today, Disney+ with ads has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, marking a 25 percent increase. The ad-free version is now $15.99, up $2.
On Hulu, the ad-supported plan rose $2 to $9.99, while the ad-free option rose $1 to $18.99.
Experts say the increases are aimed at prompting customers to opt for The Disney Bundle, which includes both Disney+ and ad-supported Hulu for $10.99, after a $1 increase.
That’s just a dollar more than getting either service alone.
ESPN+ with ads also increases by $1 to $11.99.
Disney+ and its sister services, Hulu and ESPN, are seeing price increases. Starting today, Disney+ with ads has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, a 25% increase. The ad-free version is now $15.99, up $2.
As of today, Disney+ with ads has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, marking a 25 percent increase. The Mandalorian is one of the best shows on the service.
Executives at major streaming platforms like Disney, Netflix and Peacock believe they can boost profits by increasing advertising sales.
Disney’s price increases were announced in August. Shortly after, streaming fans took to social media to say they were canceling their subscriptions, fed up with the price increases.
“I just unsubscribed, fuck this greedy platform,” he wrote a user in a Reddit thread.
Someone responded: “Same thing – it’s a price gouging and honestly the content isn’t worth it.”
in another threadsomeone else wrote: ‘AGAIN? Can we take a five minute break between this, Disney? ‘
Meanwhile, last month Disney Plus announced details of how it will prevent freeloaders from sharing their accounts.
The company will block people from different households who use the same account. You can do this by monitoring what WiFi they are using.
Anyone who wants to add an ‘additional member’ must pay $6.99 per month for the ad-supported plan and $9.99 for the ad-free version.
Disney’s crackdown is similar to what Netflix did in 2023: account holders can add additional members for a cost. But for better value, the price of additional people is lower than a completely new subscription.
Disney is the latest to raise prices as TV streamers look to make profits from companies that have so far lost money.
Streaming services have invested heavily in big-budget shows while offering low-cost subscriptions, but investors now want returns.
Peacock increased prices effective July 19 by 33 percent. The monthly fee for its standard service, confusingly called ‘Premium’, increased by $2 to $7.99, and the annual fee increased by $20 to $79.99.
In late June, Paramount+ Essential announced an increase from $2 to $7.99 for new customers, also a 33 percent increase. Current customers will maintain their rates.
In early June, Warner Bros. Discovery raised the price of its ad-free Max subscription for the second time this year.
Experts suggest these increases are designed to encourage subscriptions to The Disney Bundle, which offers Disney+ and ad-supported Hulu for $10.99 after a $1 increase. The Bear is another big hit on both services.
Only Murders In The Building is a big show and is showing on both Disney+ and Hulu. On Hulu, the ad-supported plan rose $2 to $9.99, while the ad-free option rose $1 to $18.99.
Shogun is shown on Disney+ under the FX banner
Spotify announced that the cost of its ad-free premium subscription plan ‘Individual’ in the US will increase by $1 per month to $11.99
The price increase from $1 to $16.99 per month for the ad-free tier went into effect last month for new subscribers.
The ad-free “ultimate” option, which offers 4k streaming and the ability to run four accounts at the same time, will also increase by $1 to $20.99.
Spotify also announced last month that the cost of its ad-free individual premium subscription plan in the US will increase by $1 per month to $11.99.