Disney has recently announced that it will be raising prices on its streaming platforms starting mid-October. The price hikes will affect most plans for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, with an increase of $1 to $2 per month. The most expensive plans for Hulu, which include live TV, will see a $6 increase per month. Disney+ basic will be priced at $9.99, while the premium plan will be $15.99.
The price increases come as Disney continues to push its customers towards bundles in order to get more value for their money. For some time now, Disney has been offering bundles of its services, such as Hulu and Disney+, or the two streaming services plus ESPN+. The bundle of Disney+ and Hulu, with ads, will also see a price hike this fall, going up to $10.99 per month.
In addition to its existing bundles, Disney has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a new bundle which will include Disney+, Hulu, and Max. The bundle will be available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 commercial-free, with savings of 38% compared to purchasing the services separately.
To entice subscribers, Disney is also introducing new content and features to its streaming platforms. ABC News Live and a playlist featuring preschool content will be available to all subscribers starting September 4th. Premium subscribers can look forward to four curated playlists in the near future, providing even more value and entertainment options.
Disney will be reporting its fiscal third-quarter earnings before the bell on Wednesday, providing insight into the financial impact of the price increases and new offerings on its streaming platforms. It will be interesting to see how these changes affect subscriber numbers and overall revenue for the company in the coming quarters.