(LOOTPRESS) – Disney is increasing the prices of its streaming services as the entertainment industry tries to stay competitive.
Beginning in mid-October, most subscription plans for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will see a price increase of $1 to $2 per month, as stated in a press release on Tuesday.
The highest-priced plans for Hulu, which include live television, will rise by $6 per month. The basic and premium plans for Disney+ will be set at $9.99 and $15.99, respectively.
Hulu’s ad-supported version will cost $9.99 monthly, while the ad-free version will be priced at $18.99 per month. ESPN+, which includes ads, will be available for $11.99 per month.
These price increases come as Disney aims to steer customers towards bundled options for greater value. For some time, Disney has provided a bundle that includes either Hulu and Disney+ or both streaming services along with ESPN+.
The current bundle of Disney+ and Hulu with ads will also see a $1 increase, bringing it to $10.99 per month. However, the bundle without ads will remain unchanged at $19.99 per month. Disney has collaborated with Warner Bros. Discovery to introduce a new bundle that features Disney+, Hulu, and Max.
In July, the companies shared that this bundle will be offered for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 without commercials, claiming a 38% savings compared to purchasing the services individually. Additionally, Disney plans to attract subscribers by offering ABC News Live and a playlist of preschool content to all subscribers starting September 4, as per the release on Tuesday.
The company also intends to roll out four more curated playlists for premium subscribers. “Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+,” said Alisa Bowen, president of the streaming platform, in the news release.
