Disney recently announced price increases for its streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. These hikes are set to take effect in mid-October, with most plans seeing a bump of $1 to $2 per month. The most significant increase will be on Hulu’s live TV plans, which will see a $6 per month increase. Disney+ will now be priced at $9.99 for the basic plan and $15.99 for the premium plan. Hulu will cost $9.99 with ads and $18.99 without ads, while ESPN+ will be priced at $11.99 per month.
Disney’s decision to raise prices appears to be part of a strategy to push customers towards bundle options, providing a bigger bang for their buck. Subscribers have the option to choose between various bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Some existing bundles will also see price increases, such as the one including Disney+ and Hulu with ads rising to $10.99 per month.
In addition to its own services, Disney has also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max. This bundle was previously announced to be available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 commercial-free, showcasing a savings of 38% from purchasing the services separately.
To entice subscribers, Disney will be introducing new features and content. ABC News Live and a playlist featuring preschool content will be available to all subscribers from September 4th. Premium subscribers can look forward to four additional curated playlists in the near future. These additions aim to enhance the value and experience for Disney’s streaming platform users.
As Disney prepares to announce its fiscal third-quarter earnings, the impact of these price increases on subscriber growth and retention remains to be seen. While the company is taking steps to provide more bundled options and additional content, the higher costs may lead some subscribers to reconsider their streaming subscriptions. Only time will tell if these changes will ultimately benefit Disney in the competitive streaming market.
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