Disney Raising Prices For Disney+, Hulu, & ESPN+ Stand-Alone Plans
Disney is raising the prices for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ in the U.S. this fall. The new rates will start on October 17. However, the Disney+/Hulu/Max combo deal with Warner Bros. Discovery and the Disney+/Hulu Premium no-ads bundle will stay the same at $19.99 per month for now.
Beginning September 4, Disney+ will introduce new features, including the ABC News Live streaming channel and a playlist for preschool content. Disney+ Premium (no ads) subscribers will also get access to four new curated playlists later this fall.
Disney said in a news release, “With this growing offering, and new ways to enjoy your favorite Disney+ content, Disney subscription plans remain among the best values in streaming today.”
The addition of these features might be Disney’s way of balancing out the price increase. The Disney+ ad-supported version will rise by $2 to $9.99 a month, and Disney+ Premium (no ads) will go up by $2 to $15.99. Hulu with ads will increase to $9.99 (up $2), and the ad-free Hulu will be $18.99 (up $1).
The Disney bundles including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will also increase by $2 per month, while the Disney+/Hulu Basic bundle (with ads) will rise by $1. Disney last increased prices for ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ in October 2023.
The Disney+/Hulu/Max package will remain at $16.99 per month with ads and $29.99 without ads.
Next month, Disney+ will launch a new playlist for preschool content with shows like Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Puppy Dog Pals, and Minnie’s Bow-Toons. Later this fall, Premium subscribers will get four new playlists: Seasonal Content, Epic Stories, Throwbacks, and Real Life. These will include seasonal themes, stories from Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, nostalgic pop culture, and real-life documentaries and biopics.
Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+, said, “Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+.” She added that there will be something for everyone, whether it’s news, kids’ content, popular genres, hit TV shows, or blockbuster films.
The latest addition to the bundle lineup was a Disney+, Hulu, and Max combo. On July 25 the bundle went on sale in the in the U.S. on any of the three streaming platforms’ websites.
According to Disney+, all qualifying new and existing subscribers can purchase the bundle for $16.99/month with ads and $29.99/month without ads. The streaming service mentioned that it’s a savings of up to 38.8% compared with the price of the services purchased separately (Disney+ Basic at $7.99, Hulu with ads at $7.99, Max With Ads at $9.99).
The bundle brings the three popular streaming services together all through a single monthly subscription while providing a wide selection of content from brands in entertainment, including ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight, Star Wars, Warner Bros., and more.
