Unveiling the Ultimate Disney+ and Hulu Pricing Guide: Best Bundles, Ad-Tiers, and Money-Saving Tips

Summary

Disney+ and Hulu are increasing their prices in October, with new bundles and ad-tier options being introduced.

Disney+ has received a mixed reception for its original shows and is now working on restructuring its pricing options in order to enhance its profitability. The combined Disney+ and Hulu subscription plan presents consumers with the most advantageous offer, providing a notable discount when compared to subscribing to each service individually.

Starting in October, Disney will implement price increases, along with the introduction of new bundles and ad-tier choices, for both Disney+ and Hulu. This development raises the question of which option is the most favorable. The past few years have been challenging for studios and production companies, and the current WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have only made the situation more difficult. In response to disappointing losses, several media companies are restructuring their streaming services, and Disney is no exception.

During the past year, Disney+ has encountered some challenges. While the streaming service has seen success with original Star Wars shows like Andor and The Mandalorian, other live-action productions have received a mixed reception. In regards to Marvel, despite initially well-received Phase 4 streaming shows, the recent release of Secret Invasion on Disney+ has garnered negative reviews and minimal audience interest compared to previous offerings. Consequently, it is not surprising that Disney is now reevaluating and adjusting its pricing options for its streaming platforms.

Disney+'s Price Increase Explained

Studios and production companies are striving to rebound and regain their pre-pandemic success, and Disney is no exception. The company is determined to revive its Disney+ streaming service and improve its financial standing. Disney CEO Bob Iger not only explained the rationale behind these changes, but also highlighted the company's efforts to address password sharing on the Disney+ platform, which he described as a "significant" concern.

This marks the second price increase within a year for American subscribers with Disney+ Premium. The previous price hike occurred in December 2022, raising the monthly fee by three dollars. Starting in October, these are the revised prices for Disney+.

Disney+ Premium (Ad-Free)

The cost of Disney+ Premium without ads is set to increase by 27% for U.S. customers, with prices rising from $10.99 to $13.99. This latest price hike marks a significant jump from its initial monthly fee of $6.99 when the platform initially launched four years ago.

Disney+ Basic (Ad-Supported)

The current price for Disney+ subscriptions with ads stands at $7.99 per month, and this rate will remain unchanged. The ad-supported plan has proved to be highly successful for Disney+, as revealed by Iger, who stated that 3.3 million customers have signed up for the plan since its launch in December.

Disney+ Basic (Ad-Supported - International Pricing)

Disney+ is set to introduce ad-supported subscription plans in several countries starting from November 1. The monthly price for Canada will remain at $7.99, while UK customers will be charged a £4.99 fee. Additionally, eight other European markets, namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark, will have a monthly subscription cost of €5.99.

Hulu's Price Increase Explained

Hulu (Ad-Free)

The reason behind the rise in Hulu prices can be attributed to the same factors that led to the increase in Disney+ prices. Similar to Disney+, this is not the initial price surge that subscribers have encountered in the previous year. In October 2022, the cost of Hulu without advertisements also went up. The current price hikes are considerably substantial.

The Hulu ad-free subscription will see a 20% increase, with the monthly fee rising from $14.99 to $17.99 per month. This marks the second price hike within a year, and is considered to be a substantial one.

Hulu (Ad-Supported)

Luckily, the ad-supported standalone tier of Hulu will not see a price increase. Like its Disney+ counterpart, it will remain at $7.99 per month for U.S. subscribers.

Hulu + Live TV (Ad-Supported)

A significant jump for Hulu comes with the Hulu + Live TV packages. The ad-supported option will increase $7 to $76.99 starting October 12.

Hulu + Live TV (Ad-Free)

Hulu's ad-free on VOD tier with live TV is significantly more costly for consumers compared to other tiers. Similar to the tier that includes ads, this option will entail an additional charge of $7, resulting in subscribers being billed $89.99 per month.

ESPN+

Disney+ & Hulu Bundle Packages Explained

Additionally, ESPN+ will experience a price increase this autumn, albeit a considerably smaller one compared to the other options mentioned above. The monthly subscription cost will rise from $9.99 to $10.99.

Disney has raised the pricing for its bundled streaming service options, but they still provide a considerable discount compared to the a la carte streaming service option. Opting for a bundle is advisable for avid movie and TV consumers. Following are the revised prices.

Disney+ & Hulu Bundle (Ad-Supported)

The bundled Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported tier will continue to be priced at $9.99, just like the ad-supported standalone tiers for each platform. Disney seems content with the success of its ad-supported options across all platforms, which is understandable. While they may not generate revenue from subscription pricing alone, they more than make up for it with advertiser fees.

Disney+ & Hulu Bundle (Ad-Free)

Disney aims to steer customers towards bundled options instead of standalone streaming services in the coming times. In a bid to promote this, Disney is launching a new offer on September 6, wherein users can avail an advertising-free combo pack of Disney+ and Hulu for just $19.99 per month. This represents a substantial discount of 37% compared to purchasing Disney+ and Hulu individually.

Which Disney+ & Hulu Subscription Plans Are The Best Value

If you're willing to spend a little more each month, getting a bundled Disney+ and Hulu subscription plan is the more cost-effective choice. Disney seems to be heading in that direction as well. Some Disney+ originals have already been made available on Hulu, like Secret Invasion, and it has been confirmed that Hulu-specific content will be coming to Disney+ later this year. It's possible that Disney+ and Hulu will eventually merge into one streaming platform or that Disney+ will absorb Hulu. With the discounted offer in September for new subscribers to the Disney+ & Hulu ad-free bundle, now might be a good time to switch to the 2-in-1 deal and say goodbye to separate streaming platforms.

For those who prefer to keep their streaming platforms separate or only use one, the ad-supported option is the best value for your money. If you're willing to watch a few ads, you'll save $72 per year on Disney+ with ads. The savings are even greater for Hulu's ad-supported tier, with a $120 annual difference compared to the ad-free version. And for those with the Hulu + Live TV tier, choosing the ad-supported option will save you $156 per year compared to the ad-free option.

Here's the entire breakdown of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ standalone tiers and bundled packages: