Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Are Getting More Expensive (Again)
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It’s only been a year since Disney announced its last price hikes, and now its collection of streaming services is set to see another round of price increases this fall. As usual, the price bumps are relatively small, but they add up, especially for folks who once believed that cutting the cable cord would also cut costs.
The price increases run across nearly the entire spectrum and apply to both the ad-free and ad-supported versions of standalone Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ plans, as well as most of Disney’s own bundles that include those services, although the Disney-Max bundle seems to have been spared for now, likely because it was just announced and is a partnership that includes Warner Bros. Discovery.
Specifically, the standalone Disney+ plans will increase by $2 each, with the ad-supported one hitting $9.99 monthly and the ad-free version going up to $15.99 monthly. Hulu with ads gets the same $2 price increase to $9.99, while the ad-free Hulu and ESPN+ are only going up by a buck to $18.99 and $11.99, respectively.
In light of those increases, Disney Duo Basic, which bundles the ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu, becomes an even better deal since it’s also only increasing by $1 to $10.99 — a bump that seems necessary only to keep it from being the same price as the two individual now are on their own. Meanwhile, Disney Duo Premium, which bundles the ad-free versions, remains at $19.99, meaning Hulu ad-free subscribers can tack on Disney+ for only a dollar more.
The pricing changes will take effect on Thursday, October 17. Here’s the full rundown of the increases:
- Disney+ Basic (with ads): $9.99 (currently $7.99)
- Hulu with Ads: $9.99 (currently $7.99)
- Disney Bundle Duo Basic: $10.99 (currently $9.99)
- Disney+ Premium (ad-free): $15.99 (currently $13.99)
- Hulu (with ads): $9.99 (currently $7.99)
- Hulu (No Ads): $18.99 (currently $17.99)
- Disney Bundle Duo Premium: $19.99 (no change)
- ESPN+: $11.99 (currently $10.99).
Disney snuck the increases into an announcement focusing on new features, presumably hoping to soften the blow. Starting September 4, Disney+ subscribers will get access to ABC News Live and new preschool content through a “continuous playlists” feature that will offer additional curated content later this fall.
Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+. Whether it’s news, kids’ content, popular genres, hit TV shows or blockbuster films, there will be something for everyone in a lean-back viewing experience based on seasonality and interest.Alisa Bowen, President, Disney+
The ABC News Live coverage is intended to provide 24/7 access to premium newscasts, breaking news, and more in time for the 2024 Presidential Election, while the preschool content will feature TV shows and shorts from Disney+, including Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Puppy Dog Pals, and Minnie’s Bow-Toons.
This will be followed by four additional curated playlists for Premium subscribers that will feature seasonal content from the Disney+ catalog, Epic Stories from Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, Throwbacks for folks who want to relive nostalgic pop culture, and a Real Life playlist of documentaries, biopics, and true stories.
