Disney to Raise Prices for Streaming Plans, Introduces New Channels and Features

A Disney+ streaming service sign at the D23 Expo, billed as the "largest Disney fan event in the world," in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 23, 2019. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Disney is the latest company to announce an anticipated price hike across all of its streaming platforms, as well as other changes to its content services.

Starting in mid-October, the monthly prices for Disney+ and the company’s other streaming platforms, Hulu and ESPN+, will increase $1 to $2 for both ad-supported and ad-free versions, per an Aug. 6 press release.

The basic and premium tiers of Disney+ will be priced at $9.99 and $15.99, respectively. Hulu with ads will also increase to $9.99 a month, while the ad-free premium version will rise to $18.99.

Meanwhile, ESPN+ will increase by $1 to $11.99 per month; the platform only has an ad-supported option.

A popular option for customers is the “Disney bundle,” which offers access to all three platforms at one price. The bundle will cost $2 more a month for both the ad-supported and ad-free versions, which will be $16.99 and $26.99, respectively.

Disney also offers Hulu with Live TV, the company’s version of a cable television bundle, which includes the ad-supported Hulu and Disney+. The cost of that bundle will rise by $6 per month to $82.99. For ad-free tiers, the price will go up to $95.99.

In an effort to increase its direct-to-consumer business profitability, the company had already raised prices last year, but only ad-free tiers on the platforms were impacted.

Back in July, Disney—in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery—introduced a Disney+, Hulu, and Max combo at $16.99 a month with advertisements. This combo remains unchanged.

At the time, the company said the new partnership “puts subscribers first” and provides “savings of up to 38 percent compared with the price of the services purchased separately.”

Despite all the changes in pricing, consumers will see new features added to Disney+, specifically what they’re calling “continuous playlists,” focused on content for preschool-age children.

“Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+,” said Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+.

Playlists will feature TV series and shorts available on the service including “Sofia the First,” “The Lion Guard,” “Puppy Dog Pals,” and “Minnie’s Bow-Toons.”

“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,” Bowen said.

The roll-out will be available starting Sept. 4, with four more curated playlists to follow. This includes seasonal content, “epic stories” from franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel, “nostalgic pop culture content,” and a “real life” channel featuring documentaries and biopics, the company said.

Additionally, premium subscribers will have access to “ABC News Live,” featuring live newscasts, breaking news, live events, and special reports.

It remains unclear how the changes will fare with customers, after Disney+ lost more than 1 million global subscribers in the final three months of 2023, following a 27 percent price increase.

In its fiscal third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, Disney announced a first-ever profit in its combined streaming business, thanks to the ESPN+ unit.