Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Prices will Increase in October
Disney is raising the prices of its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, starting on October 17, 2024. This marks the second price hike in a year as part of Disney's strategy to make its streaming platforms profitable. Both ad-supported and ad-free plans will see increased rates. These changes follow Disney's recent efforts to attract subscribers with a new bundle featuring Max.
Here's the prices change overviews:
| Service | Current Price | New Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney+ (ad-supported) | $7.99/month | $9.99/month | $2 increase |
| Disney+ Premium (ad-free) | $13.99/month | $15.99/month | $2 increase |
| Disney+ Premium (ad-free annual) | $139.99/year | $159.99/year | $20 increase |
| Hulu (ad-supported) | $7.99/month | $9.99/month | $2 increase |
| Hulu (ad-supported annual) | $79.99/year | $99.99/year | $20 increase |
| Hulu (ad-free) | $17.99/month | $18.99/month | $1 increase |
| ESPN+ | $11.00/month | $12.00/month | $1 increase |
| ESPN+ (annual) | $109.99/year | $119.99/year | $10 increase |
| Hulu + Live TV (ad-supported) | $69.99/month | $76.99/month | $7 increase |
| Hulu + Live TV (ad-free) | $82.99/month | $89.99/month | $7 increase |
| Duo Premium Bundle (Disney+ & Hulu ad-free) | N/A | $19.99/month | Discounted Bundle |
The ad-supported Disney Plus subscription will rise from $8 to $10 per month, while the ad-free tier will increase from $14 to $16 per month. The annual ad-free plan will go from $140 to $160. Hulu’s ad-supported tier will also see a price hike from $8 to $10 per month, with the annual plan rising from $80 to $100. The monthly ad-free plan will jump from $18 to $19. ESPN Plus will now cost $12 per month and $120 per year, up from $11 and $110, respectively. Additionally, the prices for Disney’s streaming bundles will also go up.
Along with the price hikes, Disney Plus is introducing new features for its subscribers, including access to ABC News Live and curated playlists starting September 4th. These playlists will focus on various categories, such as content for preschoolers, seasonal favorites, Marvel and Star Wars stories, classic throwbacks, and documentaries. This move aligns with Disney's strategy to boost streaming profitability while providing subscribers with easier ways to discover and enjoy content from its vast portfolio.
Disney's upcoming price hikes are part of a strategy to improve financial performance following mixed earnings results. The company aims to encourage more subscribers to choose its ad-supported plans, which have been successful in the U.S. market. CEO Bob Iger has stated that the price adjustments are intended to better reflect the value of the services. This increase continues Disney's pattern of annual price hikes since 2019, in line with broader industry trends and changing consumer behavior.
