Disney announces new Disney+ and Hulu price hikes — but they won't affect everyone yet

The Disney Plus logo on a mobile phone surrounded by popcorn
  • Disney has confirmed new price hikes for Disney+ and Hulu in the US
  • However, the cost of three bundles has been frozen
  • Fans in the UK, Europe, and Australia won't be affected for the time being

Disney has confirmed price hikes for all but three of its standalone Disney+ and Hulu plans, and bundles including both platforms, in the US — but there's no word on when other nations might be hit by similar rises.

Yesterday (September 23), Bloomberg reported that the entertainment giant was about to increase the cost of signing up for a subscription for the sixth time in as many years.

Per Bloomberg's sources, the biggest markup would see the Hulu-Disney+ Premium (ad-free) bundle go up by 13% to $21.49 per month. That means new and current users would have to pay an additional $2.50 every 30 days. Meanwhile, the cost of numerous other standalone tiers and bundles would go up by as little as $0.50 or as much as $3.00.

Doctor Doom holding up his arms as he raises two Sentinels in Avengers: Doomsday

Approached by TechRadar for comment, Disney acknowledged that Bloomberg's report was factual.

However, a studio rep was keen to stress that three of its bundles, including its cheapest offering — the Hulu-Disney+ bundle (with ads) experience — would be subject to price increases.

"While competitors have raised prices by an average of 13% this year, we are keeping the price of our most popular bundle unchanged and have increased our standalone ad-supported offerings by just 4%," a Disney spokesperson told me.

"We continue to significantly invest in enhancements to Disney+ — new technology, features, and personalization. These improvements continue to strengthen the value we deliver to subscribers and will culminate in the one app experience later this year."

For reference, here's a full breakdown of every price rise or freeze across Disney's myriad streaming service offerings in the US:

  • Disney+, Hulu Bundle (with ads) — staying flat at $12.99
  • Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium (ad free) — increasing +$2 to $21.99
  • Disney+ and Hulu standalone plans (with ads) — increasing +$0.50 to $12.49
  • Disney+ and Hulu Premium standalone plans (ad free) — increasing +$2.50 to $21.49
  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle (with ads) — increasing +$2 to $21.99
  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium (ad free) — increasing +$3 to $32.99
  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle (with ads) — staying flat at $35.99
  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium (ad free) — staying flat at $44.99

Why the UK, Europe, and Australia is immune to the Disney+ price hike — for now

Image of Disney Plus being watched on a TV with a hand holding a remote control

Crucially, UK and European subscribers appear to be temporarily immune to these price increases.

Responding to a separate request for comment from TechRadar, a Disney+ UK spokesperson told me: "We don't have anything to share on UK or European pricing at this time."

However, in previous years, UK and European fans have seen the cost of Disney+ climb just weeks after their US counterparts were slapped with the now-annual price hike. I wouldn't be stunned, then, if account holders in these regions are forced to pay more for two of the world's best streaming services in the weeks ahead.

Australian Disney+ users were hit by a price hike in April, so it's unlikely — but not completely out of the question — that they'll experience another one in due course.

Regardless of whether you've been hit by this latest price hike, it's been a rough few days for Disney+ users all around.

The week began with Disney having to placate furious fans over inaccurate reports that its ad-free Disney+ tiers would start showing ads. The dust hadn't settled on that story before fans learned that Marvel TV show would end after its forthcoming third season on Disney+, too.

I'm not superstitious but, as the saying goes, bad news comes in threes. Let's hope that this is the third and final piece of unwelcome news that Disney fans have to deal for a while, then.

Google logo on a black background next to text reading 'Click to follow TechRadar'

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

Original source Disney announces new Disney+ and Hulu price hikes — but they won't affect everyone yet

Back to home