Disney is set to increase subscription costs for its flagship streaming platforms, Disney+ and Hulu, effective October 21. This latest round of price adjustments impacts a wide range of standalone plans and bundled services, marking another significant shift in the company’s streaming monetization strategy.
New Pricing Tiers for Disney+ and Hulu
The updated pricing structure reflects a broad move toward higher monthly costs for both ad-supported and ad-free tiers. Disney+ standalone plans will see the following adjustments:
- Disney+ with Ads: Increasing by $2 to $11.99 per month.
- Disney+ Premium (No Ads): Increasing by $3 to $18.99 per month.
- Disney+ Premium Annual: Increasing by $30 to $189.99 per year.
Hulu standalone plans are also undergoing changes. The ad-supported version will rise from $9.99 to $11.99 per month. Notably, the ad-free Hulu premium tier will remain steady at $18.99 per month. Furthermore, ESPN Select will see a $1 increase, moving from $11.99 to $12.99 monthly.
Bundle Adjustments and Company Strategy
Subscribers opting for bundled services will also face increased costs. The Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported bundle will rise by $2 to $12.99 per month, while the comprehensive Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select bundle with ads will increase by $3 to $19.99 per month. A complete breakdown of all affected plans is available on the official Disney support page.
Context: Market Headwinds and Subscriber Volatility
These price hikes follow a period of turbulence for the media giant. Last week, Disney+ faced a surge in cancellations as viewers boycotted the platform in response to the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.
Since its 2019 debut at a modest $6.99 per month, Disney+ has consistently raised rates to align with broader industry trends. This follows the company’s previous October 2024 price hike, which saw the ad-free plan climb from $13.99 to $15.99, and the ad-supported tier increase from $7.99 to $9.99.