Disney+ and Hulu Increase Prices to Discourage Password Sharing
Disney is preparing to implement a series of modifications to its streaming services in the upcoming weeks, signifying a notable transformation in its streaming lineup. The entertainment giant has announced its aim to increase the subscription costs for both ad-free editions of Disney+ and Hulu, alongside unveiling strategies to address the problem of password sharing.
Updated subscription prices for Hulu and Disney+
Starting October 12, Disney’s new pricing structure will take effect on ad-free Disney+ and Hulu offerings. Here’s a breakdown of the changes (via 9to5Mac).
1. Disney+ with ads: The subscription fee is $7.99 per month.
2. Ad-free Disney+: The subscription price will increase to $13.99 per month from $10.99.
3. Hulu and Ads: No change, still $7.99/month.
4. Ad-free Hulu: The subscription price will be increased to $17.99 per month from $14.99.
Introducing the new package and live TV adjustments
Along with these price changes, Disney is announcing a bundle offer that includes ad-free versions of both Hulu and Disney+ for $19.99 a month. This bundle will be released in the US on September 6th. In addition, the company has announced changes to its Hulu + Live TV packages:
The price of the promoted plan will increase by $7, and the new price will be $76.99.
The ad-free plan will see a similar increase to $89.99.
There will also be a modest increase in ESPN+ pricing from $9.99 to $10.99 per month.
Prevention of password sharing
Speaking during Disney’s recent quarterly earnings call on August 9, CEO Bob Iger addressed the pressing concern of password sharing between Disney+ and Hulu accounts. Iger said the company is actively looking for solutions to limit this practice and is ready to begin making changes later this year.
“We have the technical capabilities to closely monitor much of this phenomenon. I won’t disclose the exact numbers, but I can attest that it is significant. Addressing this issue has become a key focus, and we see an opportunity to not only fix this, but also drive the growth of our business.”
While changes to subscriber agreements and terms are expected later this year, it may take until 2024 for the technical implementations needed to curb password sharing to be fully implemented, according to the timeline proposed by Disney’s CEO.
In short, these changes represent a significant shift in Disney’s streaming landscape, which includes changes to pricing, innovative packages, and a proactive approach to addressing challenges such as password sharing.
