Disney’s popular streaming service is getting another price hike, the streamer’s fourth since launching in 2019. The new ad-free Disney+ tier will soon cost $16 a month. It comes as Disney and other companies continue to try to squeeze more revenue out of their expensive-to-run streaming services, and before the latest hit, good night Inside Out 2, I’ll be arriving home this fall.
Launched in 2019, Disney+ was the company’s answer to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The service is available to all The Simpsons, Star WarsAnd a collection of classic Disney movies, shows, and animated shorts, along with most of the Marvel movies. Disney+ has grown since its launch five years ago, as Disney has added Hulu shows, more original content, Fox-owned properties, and licensed shows. Doctor Who In service.
But all that content doesn’t come cheap, and Disney+’s price has gone up almost every year for the past few years. And it’s happening again this fall.
How much will Disney+ and Hulu cost in October?
Starting October 17th, Disney has most of its streaming plans Plans that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ cost about $1-$2 more per month. Hulu’s most expensive plan, which includes Live TV, costs $6 more per month.
Meanwhile, Disney+ Basic (with ads) and Disney+ Premium (without ads) have jumped to $10 and $16, respectively. That means an ad-free Disney+ subscription is now twice as expensive as it was when Disney launched its ad-free plan in 2019, when it cost $7 a month.
Hulu with ads will go up to $10 a month, while Hulu without ads will go up to $19 a month. Finally, ESPN+ will go up to $12 a month starting in October. Disney is also adding “playlists,” which will be always-on channels within the app that stream content like news, old movies, and TV shows. This works very similarly to this: Pluto TV and other FAST (Free ad-supported TV) service works.
Yes, Disney and other streaming services are basically reinventing channel surfing and cable, but they’re locking you in behind a bunch of prices, plans, and services. Yes, the future sucks.
The timing of the price increase also does not appear to be random. Some recent Disney box office successes-good night Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine—will likely be added to the service in the coming months, and the Mouse House will likely want to capitalize on its recent success by getting people to pay a few more bucks to rewatch its popular films.
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