The Walt Disney Company today announced upcoming price increases for its popular streaming services Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The changes, which are set to take effect in mid-October, will see monthly subscription fees rise by $1 to $2 across various plans.
Disney+ subscribers will face a $1 increase for both basic and premium tiers. The basic plan will go up to $9.99 per month, while the premium plan, which includes ad-free viewing and 4K streaming, will rise to $15.99 per month.
Hulu, another Disney-owned streaming platform, will also see price adjustments. The ad-supported plan will cost $9.99 per month, a $1 increase, while the ad-free plan will jump to $18.99 per month, a $2 increase.
Sports fans who subscribe to ESPN+ will face a $2 increase, with the monthly fee rising to $11.99. The service will continue to feature advertisements.
The price increases come as Disney aims to balance the rising costs of content production and licensing with its commitment to delivering a robust selection of movies, TV shows, and sporting events to its streaming subscribers.
Disney remains a major player in the competitive streaming landscape, boasting a vast library of content that includes beloved Disney classics, popular Marvel and Star Wars franchises, acclaimed documentaries, and live sports coverage.
While the price hikes may disappoint some subscribers, the company is confident that the value and variety of its content offerings will continue to attract and retain a loyal customer base.