Disney+ Price Hike During Awkward Time: What You Need to Know
Disney+ has announced a price hike for its streaming service, set to take effect on October 21. The plan with ads will increase by $2 to $11.99, while the ad-free tier will go up by $3 to $18.99. Hulu, owned by Disney, will also see a price increase on the same day, with its ad tier rising by $2 to $11.99. Additionally, ESPN Select will increase by a dollar to $12.99. Various bundles involving Disney+ will also see a price increase.
It’s not the first time Disney has raised prices in October; the company did the same for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN in 2023 and 2024. According to a source familiar with the matter, consumers were notified of the price hikes on Tuesday, with the company citing them as part of its normal business process.
The timing of the price hike comes amidst controversy surrounding Disney’s handling of Jimmy Kimmel. After facing backlash for benching Kimmel due to comments about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Disney announced they would reinstate Kimmel’s show. However, the decision has caused further backlash, with some MAGA media commentators criticizing Disney for putting Kimmel back on the air.
Disney is also facing opposition from local media giants Sinclair and Nexstar, who own more than 20% of ABC affiliates and are choosing to preempt Kimmel’s broadcast on their stations. Despite the challenges, the company is moving forward with its price hike, which aligns with its previous business practices.
