Disney hikes streaming prices for Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+
By: Alexandra S.
Disney will jack up prices once again for its popular streaming services Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ as it looks to push consumers to sign up for its bundles, the company said.
Starting in mid-October, most plans for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ will increase by $1 to $2 a month, while the most expensive plans for Hulu, which include live TV, will cost $6 more a month.
The company said Disney+ basic and premium will go up $2 and be priced at $9.99 and $15.99, respectively.
Hulu with ads will cost $9.99 monthly, up from $7.99, while Hulu without ads will cost $18.99, up $1.
ESPN+, which features ads, will cost $11.99 per month, up from $10.99.
However, the existing bundle of Disney+ and Hulu, with ads, will go up $1 to $10.99 a month. The same bundle without ads won’t see any price increase from it’s current rate of $19.99 a month.
Disney also recently partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu and Max for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 without ads, citing “a savings of 38% compared with the price of the services purchased separately.” That bundle price will remain the same.
Disney said it hopes to reel in subscribers with ABC News Live and a curated playlist featuring preschool content, which will be available Sept. 4. The company plans to introduce more curated playlists for premium subscribers.
“Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+,” Disney+ President Alisa Bowen said.
Disney – which recently laid off 140 employees in its TV unit – will report its third-quarter earnings before the bell on Wednesday.
