Disney Hikes Prices for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+

Disney has announced that subscription prices for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will be slightly increased later this year. This change, set to take effect on October 17 for U.S. customers, appears to be part of Disney’s strategy to encourage customers to choose bundled streaming plans. The price for Disney+’s ad-free plan will rise by $2 to $15.99 per month, while the ad-supported plan will increase by $2 to $9.99 per month.

Hulu, which is also owned by Disney, will also see price increases. The cost of Hulu’s ad-supported tier will go up by $2 to $9.99 per month, and the ad-free plan will increase by $1 to $18.99 per month. Additionally, Hulu’s bundle that includes live, linear TV will see a $6 increase, bringing the cost to $82.99 per month for the ad-supported plan and $95.99 per month for the ad-free option.

The bundle of Disney+ and Hulu will see a slight price increase as well. The ad-supported bundle will rise by $1 to $10.99 per month, but the ad-free bundle will remain at $19.99 per month. ESPN+ will also experience a price adjustment, with its monthly subscription fee increasing by $1 to $11.99.

Disney has also announced that new features will be added to Disney+ starting September 4. These features include a live broadcast of ABC News and a new playlist designed for preschool-aged children. Disney is scheduled to release its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, which will provide further insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic direction.

Disney last raised subscription rates for its streaming platforms in August 2023, with most plans increasing by up to $3. In May 2024, Disney entered into a partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, introducing new bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and Max. The new bundles offer an ad-supported plan for $16.99 per month and an ad-free plan for $29.99 per month. In its most recent earnings report, Disney reported a $47 million quarterly operating profit from its Hulu and Disney+ streaming services, while Warner Bros. Discovery reported a profit of $103 million from its direct-to-consumer division, which includes Max. This latest round of price increases and new features reflect Disney’s efforts to enhance the value of its streaming services and drive subscription growth through bundled offerings.