Big changes are coming to Disney+ later this year, with the company planning price hikes and the addition of what it is calling “continuous playlists” and live news to the platform.
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On the pricing front, Disney+ will see the monthly cost of its ad-supported tier rise by $2 to $9.99, while its ad-free tier will rise by $2 to $15.99.
Hulu’s ad tier will also rise by $2 to $9.99 per month, with its ad-free plan rising by $1 to $18.99 per month.
Notably, the price hikes appear designed to push consumers to the The Disney Bundle, which will offer the ad tiers of Disney+ and Hulu for $10.99 per month (up $1 from previously), only slightly more than one service or the other.
The company is also raising prices at ESPN+, which will increase by $1 to 11.99 per month, and at Hulu With Live TV, which will rise by $6 per month to $82.99, which includes the ad tiers of Hulu and Disney+, and to $95.99 for the ad-free tiers.
All the price hikes will be effective Oct. 17.
The company last raised prices a year ago , announcing them in August with an effective date in October. Last year, however, only the ad-free tiers were impacted.
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But with the price hikes, Disney is also adding new features to Disney+. Most notably, the company is adding “playlists” to the service, effectively linear channels for viewers to jump and start watching like a traditional TV network.
That will include the ABC News Live, the live streaming service of Disney-owned ABC News, and a playlist of preschool content (think Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Puppy Dog Pals ).
Both channels will become available to all subscribers Sept. 4 (notably for ABC News Live, it will be ahead of the 2024 election). Other channels based on seasonal content, retro and nostalgia programming, real-life programming, and “epic stories” like Marvel and Star Wars will be added later in the fall, but only for Premium subscribers.
“Playlists are the latest example of how we’re providing the best value and experience for our subscribers every time they open Disney+,” said Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+, in a statement. “Whether its news, kids’ content, popular genres, hit TV shows or blockbuster films, there will be something for everyone in a lean-back viewing experience based on seasonality and interest.”
The playlists operate similarly to the “channels” users can find on subscription services like Peacock and free streaming services like Pluto TV and Tubi, with a linear schedule built around a specific theme or genre. They allow users to jump in and start watching, without having to hunt around for something to watch, and some media executives believe they can help increase “stickiness” and viewership.
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