– Disney+ and ESPN+ prices are going to increase from March 2023
– The Standard Hulu plan will reduce its price
– Ad-Free Hulu plan will be available at a discounted rate for existing subscribers
Disney+ announced a price increase for its subscription service, set to take effect from March 2023. The streaming service will now charge $9.99 per month, up from $7.99, and its annual subscription will increase from $79.99 to $99.99. The change will also affect the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The cost of the bundle will rise to $18.99 per month, up from $13.99.
To justify the price hike, the company stated that it’s committed to delivering an “unrivaled lineup of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more.” They also mentioned their intention to invest more in “exclusive originals for Disney+,” including Marvel Studios series, animated films, and live-action adaptations.
However, not all streaming offerings are increasing in price. The Standard Hulu subscription without ads is decreasing in cost, from $11.99 per month to $9.99 per month. In addition, current Hulu subscribers will be offered a discount on Hulu’s ad-free plan at $12.99 per month, saving them $2 per month.
ESPN+ remains unaffected by the price adjustments, maintaining its standard price of $6.99 per month. Likewise, the Hulu with Live TV service will continue to be available at $69.99 per month.
Disney’s price changes come amid a heavily competitive streaming market, pressured by rivals such as Netflix and HBO Max. The price adjustments and content investment demonstrate Disney’s intent to present a more substantial offering to viewers, securing their place in the market.