FILE - A person holds a remote control in front of a television displaying the Disney+ streaming service logo. Disney announced it will raise subscription prices again this fall. (Photo Illustration by Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Disney is raising prices again for its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN, as the company looks to keep its direct-to-consumer business profitable.
The new subscription rates take effect Oct. 21, marking the fourth straight October price hike since 2022. The move follows the launch of Disney’s new ESPN streaming platform and comes as competition in the streaming space continues to intensify.
How much Disney+ will cost
Starting Oct. 21, the ad-supported Disney+ plan will increase by $2 to $11.99 per month. The ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will rise by $3 to $18.99 per month, with the annual option jumping $30 to $189.99.
Bundles are also going up in price. The ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu package will climb to $12.99 per month, up from $10.99. The Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select Bundle Premium, which includes ad-free Disney+ and Hulu with ad-supported ESPN+, will increase from $26.99 to $29.99.
Disney confirmed that subscribers began receiving notifications about the price hikes on Tuesday.
The backstory:
Disney first launched Disney+ in 2019 at $6.99 per month. Since then, the company has steadily raised prices across its streaming platforms. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, price increases were announced each October.
Last year, Disney reported its streaming division turned a profit for the first time, but executives have emphasized the need to keep revenue growing as production costs rise.
The latest price changes come shortly after Disney launched its direct-to-consumer ESPN service in August. That platform offers an unlimited plan at $29.99 per month with access to all ESPN networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+ and more than 47,000 live events annually. Customers could also opt for a Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ESPN for the same price during its first year.
Big picture view:
The streaming industry has been reshaped by rising costs, password-sharing crackdowns and the rollout of ad-supported tiers. Disney competes with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, and others in a crowded field.
As platforms spend billions on original shows and exclusive content, subscription price hikes have become routine across the industry.
The Source: This report is based on information from Disney’s subscriber notifications and support pages, along with reporting from Fox News Digital on recent price changes and industry context.