Anika Begay
The atmosphere at the Disney Bundle celebrating National Streaming Day at The Row in Los Angeles on May 19, 2022.
Presley Ann | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Disney is raising prices on its streaming platforms.
Starting in mid-October, most plans for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will cost $1 to $2 more per month, according to a press release Tuesday. The most expensive plans for Hulu, which include live TV, will cost $6 more per month.
Disney+ basic and premium will cost $9.99 and $15.99, respectively. Hulu with ads will cost $9.99 per month, while Hulu without ads will cost $18.99 per month. ESPN+, which does feature ads, will cost $11.99 per month.
The price increases come as Disney continues to push its customers toward package deals to get the most bang for their buck.
For some time, Disney has offered a bundle of its services, Hulu and Disney+, or the two streaming services plus ESPN+. The current Disney+ and Hulu bundle, with ads, will also see a price increase this fall, by $1 to $10.99 per month. The same ad-free bundle will not see a price increase from its current rate of $19.99 per month.
Disney has also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a bundle, which will include Disney+, Hulu, and Max. In July, the companies announced that the bundle would be available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 without ads, noting “a 38 percent savings versus the price of the services purchased separately.”
Disney is also aiming to entice subscribers with ABC News Live and a preschool playlist, available to all subscribers starting Sept. 4, according to a Tuesday release. The company plans to introduce four more curated playlists for premium subscribers.
“Playlists are the latest example of how we’re delivering the best value and experience to our members every time they open Disney+,” said Alisa Bowen, president of the streaming platform, in the press release.
Disney will report its fiscal third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, before the close of business.
