Watching “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” on Disney+ and “Only Murders in the Building” on Hulu is going to cost more in the months ahead.
The Walt Disney Co. has revealed that subscription rates will climb for both platforms, and Disney+ will also roll out an ad-supported option to offer a less expensive choice.
These price adjustments follow a broader pattern among streaming providers. Netflix, for example, recently upped its monthly fee to $19.99 and announced stricter rules on password sharing.
Hulu Raises Costs for Both Plans
Hulu offers programming from networks such as NBC, ABC and Fox, along with original series like “The Patient,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “American Horror Stories” and “The Bear.”
The ad-supported Hulu plan will increase from $6.99 to $7.99 per month, while the ad-free option will move from $12.99 to $14.99 monthly. These Hulu price changes in the U.S. take effect Oct. 10, 2022.
Subscribers to Hulu’s live TV packages will also see higher charges. The Hulu + Live TV bundle — which includes ad-free Disney+, ad-supported Hulu and ESPN+ — will rise from $69.99 to $74.99 per month.
There’s also an $82.99-per-month bundle for viewers who prefer Disney+ and Hulu without ads — ESPN+ remains ad-supported. That bundle’s current price is $75.99.
Disney+ Launches Ad-Supported Option
Disney+ houses content from Disney as well as Pixar, Marvel, “Star Wars” and National Geographic. The previously inexpensive service will jump from its $7.99 rate to $10.99 a month.
If you want to keep paying the existing Disney+ fee, the platform will introduce an ad-supported subscription priced at $7.99 per month. The price increases and the new ad-supported tier will begin Dec. 8 in the U.S.
The Disney Bundle
The Walt Disney Co. owns Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. Price increases for ESPN+ subscribers were already implemented after a July announcement, lifting the monthly cost from $6.99 to $9.99. That means you’ll pay a bit more to stream the big game.
Additionally, the Disney Bundle will see higher rates, covering access to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. Depending on how you subscribe, prices will increase as follows:
Disney+ Bundle Prices
| Plan | Included Services | Monthly Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Bundle: Basic (With Ads) | Disney+, Hulu | $9.99 | ||
| Disney Bundle: Basic (With Ads) | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ | $12.99 | ||
| Disney Bundle: Legacy | Disney+ (No Ads), Hulu & ESPN+ (With Ads) | $14.99 | ||
| Disney Bundle: Premium | Disney+ (No Ads), Hulu (No Ads), ESPN+ (With Ads) | $19.99 |
What Should You Do?
Hulu’s new prices will start Oct. 10, while Disney+ adjustments kick in Dec. 8. Your existing subscription will automatically reflect the higher rate, and you will be billed at the updated amount on those dates.
If you want to move to a different plan, it’s wise to switch before your account is charged the higher rate to avoid paying more. Because Disney+’s ad-supported option isn’t available yet, you’ll need to wait until Dec. 8 to select it.
For viewers who don’t mind commercials, the ad-supported tiers present a budget-friendly way to keep watching favorite shows without paying the full premium.
If you dislike interruptions, your choices are to pay the higher fee or cancel the subscription. A guide to managing subscriptions can help you decide which services are worth keeping.
Alex Carter is a senior writer for Savinly specializing in technology.
