Disney recently announced that it will be increasing the prices of its streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Starting in mid-October, most plans will see a monthly price increase of $1 to $2. The most significant increase will be for Hulu’s plans that include live TV, which will cost $6 more per month. The basic and premium plans for Disney+ will be priced at $9.99 and $15.99, respectively. Additionally, Hulu with ads will now cost $9.99 monthly, while the ad-free version will be priced at $18.99 per month. ESPN+ with ads will see a price increase to $11.99 per month.
Disney Pushes Towards Service Bundles
The price hikes come as Disney looks to encourage its customers to opt for bundled services to increase the overall value for money. Disney has been offering bundles of its streaming services for some time now, such as a combination of Hulu and Disney+, or all three services combined. The existing bundle of Disney+ and Hulu with ads will also experience a price increase, going up to $10.99 per month. However, the bundle without ads will remain at its current rate of $19.99 per month. Disney has also teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer an extended bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max, providing customers with more options at different price points.
New Content Offerings for Subscribers
In addition to the price increases, Disney is also introducing new content offerings to entice subscribers. ABC News Live and a curated preschool content playlist will be available to all subscribers starting September 4. The company plans to introduce four more curated playlists exclusively for premium subscribers to enhance their viewing experience. Alisa Bowen, the president of the streaming platform, highlighted that these new playlists are part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to provide the best value and experience for its subscribers every time they engage with Disney+.
Overall, the price hikes and new content offerings from Disney demonstrate the company’s commitment to providing a premium streaming experience while ensuring long-term sustainability and growth in the increasingly competitive streaming market. Disney’s strategic approach to price adjustments and content enhancements reflects its understanding of consumer preferences and the evolving dynamics of the streaming industry. Subscribers can expect to see these changes take effect in the coming months as Disney continues to innovate and expand its streaming platform.
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