Disney Plus
BusinessDisneyEntertainment

Disney Hikes Streaming Prices Again — Here’s What You’ll Pay Starting Oct. 21

RNN Staff

Disney is once again raising prices across its streaming platforms—marking the fourth straight October increase in what’s become an annual tradition.

Starting October 21, the cost of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundles will jump across the board, as the entertainment giant looks to squeeze more revenue from subscribers while maintaining profitability in its direct-to-consumer division.

New Pricing Breakdown

  • Disney+ (ad-supported): Rising by $2, now $11.99/month

  • Disney+ Premium (ad-free): Jumping $3 to $18.99/month, or $189.99/year (up $30)

  • Disney+ + Hulu (ad-supported bundle): Increasing to $12.99/month (from $10.99)

  • Disney+, Hulu (ad-free) + ESPN Select (ad-supported): Climbing to $29.99/month (from $26.99)

Subscribers began receiving email notices about the price hikes this week.

A Pattern of Annual Increases

When Disney+ launched in 2019, it cost $6.99/month. That price didn’t last long. Since 2022, Disney has announced streaming increases every October—each one pushing the baseline cost further from its original “affordable” pitch to families.

Last year, Disney’s streaming division finally turned a profit, but rising production costs and the arms race for content have kept the pressure on to raise revenue.

New ESPN Service Also Pushing Costs Higher

In August, Disney launched its long-anticipated direct-to-consumer ESPN platform. The standalone version costs $29.99/month and gives access to ESPN’s full lineup—networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, and over 47,000 live events per year. At launch, subscribers could opt for the full Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN bundle at the same price for the first year. That offer now looks more like a temporary discount as prices normalize.

The Bigger Picture: Streaming Isn’t Cheap Anymore

Disney isn’t alone in this strategy. Nearly every major platform—Netflix, Max, Prime Video—has raised prices, pushed ad-supported options, or cracked down on password sharing. What used to be a budget-friendly alternative to cable is starting to look more and more like the cable bundle of old.

With inflation hitting wallets and every service demanding a monthly fee, streaming subscribers are starting to question what’s really worth it.

Ad Blocker Detected!

Refresh