The streaming price hike tradition continues. For the fourth consecutive year, Disney+ has raised the prices for its flagship ad-free plan and Hulu in the U.S., as Bloomberg first reported (and reflected on the streamer’s support page).
Disney+ Premium and Hulu Premium, the tiers with no ads, will each now cost US$21.49 per month, up 13 percent from before (US$18.99). In comparison, the standalone ad-supported subscriptions are increasing to US$12.49 from US$11.99 a month, while the bundle remains unchanged at US$12.99 per month. The strategy is nothing new — encourage individuals to buy a two-pack, as the likelihood of cancellation is lower, with the Disney+/Hulu Premium bundle newly priced at S$21.99 per month, up from US$19.99, almost half of what it would cost if the streamers were purchased separately.
The hike is already in effect for new subscribers in the U.S., but those in Singapore need not worry, as Geek Culture understands that subscription prices in Asia are not impacted at this time. It’s also unclear if the new plans will eventually roll out, with the current available plans in Singapore as follows:
| Disney+ Plan | Features | Price |
| Disney+ Standard | – Ad-free movies and series – Downloads on up to 10 devices – Watch on up to two (2) supported devices at a time – SharePlay supported – Supports up to 5.1 audio – Enjoy up to 1080p Full HD video | S$18.98/month or S$159.98/year |
| Disney+ Premium | – Ad-free movies and series – Downloads on up to 10 devices – Watch on up to four (4) supported devices at a time – SharePlay supported – Immersive sound with up to Dolby Atmos audio – Experience up to 4K UHD & HDR video | S$22.98/month or S$189.98/year |
| Extra Member | – A way to enjoy Disney+ with your family and friends even if they are not in the same Household – Stream on one device at a time – Create and access only one profile – Access to the same content and features as the Account Holder | S$7.98/month |
While the company has reportedly explored the possibility of adding a free tier for Disney+, updates and confirmation remain elusive. It’s hardly the only platform to raise subscription prices, either, with Netflix, Apple TV, and HBO Max all doing so over the past several years.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
