“Slowly, but surely we’re going right back to cable”: Disney+ Premium Getting an Almost 30% Price Increase, Fans Pissed
Disney is getting ready to make big changes to how much it costs to use its services. They are planning to increase the prices, which means it will likely become more expensive. They also want to bring their ad-supported plan to many more countries, which will make their streaming service available to more people. In the middle of all these changes, the streaming platform is becoming even more important. It’s going through some important changes itself, with two main new things happening.
First and foremost, Disney+ is gearing up to shed its ad-supported vestiges, elevating itself to a sanctuary of uninterrupted entertainment. Furthermore, it is poised to amplify convenience with an ingenious twist: the capacity to download content. This innovative facet endows subscribers with the ability to curate an offline cache of beloved shows and movies. But, like with any big change, there are some details viewers need to think about. Subscribers can’t add a gift subscription to an account they already have. They need to use a new email or make a new account to give or use a gift subscription.
Exploring the Dynamic Changes in Disney+ Premium Pricing
In an effort to improve the financial performance of its streaming services, Disney is implementing significant price adjustments for its Disney+ and Hulu standalone premium plans in the United States. Concurrently, the company is introducing a deeply discounted combined bundle of Disney+ and Hulu with no ads. Starting from October 12th, the subscription fee for Disney+ Premium (ad-free) will surge by 27%, going from $10.99 to $13.99 per month for U.S. subscribers. Hulu’s ad-free plan will also see a 20% increase, rising from $14.99 to $17.99 per month.
The costs for the individual Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported tiers will remain unchanged at $7.99 each per month, with the combined bundle remaining at $9.99 per month. Furthermore, the monthly charges for both Hulu + Live TV packages will experience a $7 rise as of October 12th. The ad-supported plan will increase to $76.99, while the ad-free option for video-on-demand will go up to $89.99. Additionally, the pricing for ESPN+ will see a one-dollar increment, going from $9.99 to $10.99 per month.
Also Read: Disney Reportedly Won’t Release DVDs and Blu-rays Anymore in World’s 13th Largest Economy
A Strom of Fan Frustration on Disney+’s New Pricing Strategy
Fans are extremely upset about the company’s abrupt changes in pricing for the premium service amid the ongoing strikes in the entertainment industry. Many are expressing regret over leaving the traditional cable system, as they fear a return to high cable prices. The lack of quality content has also fueled criticism, with fans suggesting that Disney has been on a decline for a long time. Fans are advising the company to follow a more gradual approach by allowing customers to become accustomed to the platform at lower prices before implementing any price hikes.
Slowly, but surely we’re going right back to cable pic.twitter.com/ACbPwaP9uJ
— Kami Anime S (@KamiAnimeS1) August 9, 2023
Slowly becoming just a satellite bill; especially if you have multiple streaming apps.
The whole appeal of streaming was its cheapness. Now that’s out the window because the companies aren’t making any money. They’re raising the hell out of their prices, man
— Brandon S. Todd (X) (@ThatMrTodd) August 10, 2023
Damn, that’s quite a steep increase.
All during the strikes…
— MovieGainz (@MovieGainz) August 9, 2023
We’re on our way, right back to cable prices.
— Wander (@_PiggyPie) August 9, 2023
We should never have left
— The Legen-Wait For It-Dary Carstairs 🔥 (@KitKatisWeird7) August 9, 2023
Joe Earley, President of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment, stated that the strong momentum of their ad-supported plans in the U.S. highlights the importance of offering consumers choices, flexibility, and value. He expressed excitement about expanding these offerings to more global markets, including Europe and Canada. Additionally, there are plans to launch a new premium bundle in the fall, featuring both ad-free Disney+ and Hulu. This move is a step toward eventually making extensive Hulu content accessible via Disney+ later in the year for subscribers of the bundle.
Source: X