Price Increase for Hulu and Disney+: What You Need to Know

Reasons for the Price Increases

Both Hulu and Disney+ have cited the rising costs of producing and licensing content as the main reason for the price increases. With streaming platforms becoming more and more popular, the demand for high-quality content has skyrocketed, which has driven up the costs of producing and acquiring shows and movies. Additionally, as more and more platforms enter the market, competition for content has become increasingly fierce, which has also driven up prices.

Another factor to consider is the increased investment into developing original content for these platforms. With companies like Netflix and Amazon investing heavily into creating their own content, it is becoming more difficult for other platforms to compete without investing on creating original content of their own.

How Much More Will You Have to Pay?

Hulu's base subscription price will increase by $2 per month, from $5.99 to $7.99. This increase will go into effect for new subscribers immediately, and for existing subscribers on December 18th. The price for Hulu's ad-free subscription will also increase by $2 per month, from $11.99 to $13.99.

Disney+'s base subscription price will increase by $1 per month, from $6.99 to $7.99. This increase will go into effect for new subscribers on March 26th, and for existing subscribers on their next billing cycle.

It's worth noting that both platforms offer bundle packages with other streaming services, such as Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ for $12.99, which will also see an increase to $13.99 per month for new subscribers and for current subscribers on their next billing cycle.

What Are Your Options?

If you're an existing subscriber, your options are limited. You'll have to either accept the new prices or cancel your subscription. If you're thinking of subscribing, you have a few options to consider:

• Subscribe now: If you're planning on subscribing to either Hulu or Disney+ soon, you may want to do so before the price increases take effect. This will lock in the current prices and save you money in the long run.
• Look into bundle packages: Both Hulu and Disney+ offer bundle packages with other streaming services, such as Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ for $12.99. These packages can offer a better value than subscribing to each service separately, and they may still be cheaper than the individual services after the price increases.
• Compare to other streaming services: With so many streaming services on the market, it's important to shop around and compare prices and content offerings. While Hulu and Disney+ may be raising their prices, other platforms may still offer better value.

Conclusion

Hulu and Disney+ are raising their prices, and as a subscriber, it's important to understand why and how much more you'll have to pay. While the price increases may be disappointing, it's important to remember that the rising costs of producing and licensing content are driving these changes. If you're an existing subscriber, you'll have to either accept the new prices or cancel your subscription, but if you're thinking of subscribing, there are options to consider such as subscribing before the increase takes effect, looking into bundle packages, or comparing to other streaming services.

It's worth noting that Hulu and Disney+ are not the only streaming platforms raising their prices. Other popular streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have also raised their prices in recent years. In fact, Netflix's standard plan now costs $13.99 per month, which is more expensive than Hulu's new ad-free plan. Amazon Prime Video also increased their prices from $8.99 to $12.99 per month in January 2018.

Additionally, the streaming industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with new players entering the market on a regular basis. For example, Apple TV+ and Disney+ launched in late 2019, Peacock in July 2020, and HBO Max in May 2020. All of these streaming services are vying for consumers' attention and dollars, which may drive prices even higher in the future.

It is worth considering if the price increase is still worth paying for the content offered by each platform. For example, Disney+ offers a wide variety of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content that cannot be found on other streaming platforms. Hulu, on the other hand, offers a mix of original content and a live TV option that allows subscribers to watch live news, sports, and other programming.

It is also worth considering if the increase would put an undue financial burden on you. As with all subscription services, it's always best to weigh the cost against the value you receive. It is always a good idea to re-evaluate your subscriptions every few months and cancel any services that you are no longer using or do not provide enough value for the cost.

In summary, Hulu and Disney+ are raising their prices, and while it may be disappointing, it is important to remember that the rising costs of producing and licensing content are driving these changes. As the streaming industry becomes increasingly competitive, it is likely that prices will continue to rise. It's up to the consumer to decide if the cost is worth it for the content and services offered by each platform, and if it doesn't it would be advisable to look for alternatives and compare the different options.