Disney+ And Hulu Streaming Prices Are Raised—Customers Are 'Furious'
As many Disney fans eagerly awaited the launch of their latest offerings, they were hit with the news that their beloved streaming services were about to undergo a price hike.
This announcement first came back in August, when the entertainment giant declared that they would be increasing the fees for some of their most popular packages, including ad-free Disney+ and Hulu. Since October 12th, the ad-free version of Hulu was one of the most heavily impacted services, as its monthly cost jumped from $15 to $18.
Similarly, Disney+ without ads saw its price tag go from $11 per month or $110 annually to $14 per month or $140 for the year. Many fans have taken to social media since then to express their frustration and disappointment at the news of this price hike.
Prices Of Disney+ and Hulu's Ad-Free Plans Increase As Fans Express Their Disappointment
On X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote, following the news: "This sucks I’m so glad I just stopped paying altogether." Another added: "I was debating on keeping it or not. Guess I will be done with Disney plus. Churn baby churn. Might consider the ad supported tier. Steaming has becoming like my old cable bill just climbing and climbing. Time to drop some platforms."
Someone else chimed in, writing: "they are removing content, lost a lot of subscribers and are increasing the price? wtf." Others also referenced their recent show cancellations, and how it factored into their decision when it came to renewing their Disney+ subscriptions.
Existing subscribers will begin to notice a change in their billing amount, with the new prices set to be reflected on their first billing date following October 12th.
However, if you happen to be a Disney+ subscriber that is billed through Apple, you will have a little bit more time before you start to see an increase in your monthly subscription costs— December 10th to be exact.
Disney has a wide array of bundle options for those seeking multiple streaming services in one convenient package. The Basic bundle, a coveted trio including the ad-supported streaming service ESPN Plus, along with the ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu, has seen a surge in pricing, now $15 per month instead of the previous $13.
And if that wasn't enough to cause dismay among fans and subscribers, the Premium bundle, a trifecta featuring ESPN Plus and the ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney Plus, has experienced an even more significant jump, going from $20 per month to $25.
Disney has consistently increased the price of its streaming platforms since 2019, much to the chagrin of its dedicated fans. This trend then continued into the fall of 2022, before the latest hike in prices was implemented.
It's worth noting that the new changes make it more advantageous to opt for the ad-based Disney Plus or Hulu subscriptions, which come in at a mere $8 per month, as CNET points out. While you may have to tolerate occasional ad interruptions, the amount saved makes it an option to consider, according to the outlet.
Disney isn't the only streaming service to announce a price hike, though. In recent months, competitors like Paramount+, Starz, Peacock, and Discovery+ have followed suit.
