Fury as major streaming service's price rises 25%: 'Again? Can we take a five-minute break in between?'

Disney's price increases for its streaming plans in America hit today – just a year after its last increase.

Increases affect Disney+, Hulu and ESPN – the entertainment giant's three streaming services.

As of today, the price of Disney+ with advertising has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, a 25 percent increase. The ad-free version is now $15.99, up $2.

At Hulu, the ad-supported plan is up $2 to $9.99, while the ad-free option is up $1 to $18.99.

Experts say the increases are aimed at driving customers to the Disney Bundle – which includes both Disney+ and Hulu with advertising for $10.99, after a $1 increase.

This only costs a dollar more than using either service alone.

ESPN+ with advertising is also increasing by $1 to $11.99.

Disney+ and its sister services Hulu and ESPN are seeing price increases. As of today, the price of Disney+ with advertising has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, a 25% increase. The ad-free version is now $15.99, up $2.

As of today, the price of Disney+ with advertising has increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, a 25 percent increase. “The Mandalorian” is one of the service’s top shows

Executives at major streaming platforms like Disney, Netflix and Peacock believe they can boost profits through higher advertising sales.

Disney's price increases were announced in August. Soon after, streaming fans claimed on social media that they were canceling their subscriptions because they were fed up with the price hikes.

“I just logged out f@@k this greedy platform,” one user wrote in a Reddit thread.

Someone replied: “Same – that's too big of a price increase and honestly the content isn't worth it.”

In another thread, someone else wrote: “AGAIN? Can we take a five-minute break every now and then, Disney? '

Meanwhile, Disney Plus last month revealed details about how it will prevent “free riders” from sharing their accounts.

The company blocks people from different households using the same account. This can be achieved by monitoring which WiFi they are using.

Those who want to add an “additional member” will have to pay $6.99 per month for the ad-supported plan and $9.99 for the ad-free version.

Disney's approach is similar to Netflix's in 2023 – with account holders able to add additional members for a fee. But to improve value for money, the price for additional people is lower than a whole new subscription.

Disney is the latest company to raise prices as TV streamers look to make a profit from businesses that have been losing money.

Streaming services have invested heavily in big-budget shows while offering low-cost subscriptions, but investors now want returns.

Peacock increased prices by 33 percent starting July 19. The monthly price for the standard service – confusingly called “Premium” – increased by $2 to $7.99 and the annual fee increased by $20 to $79.99.

In late June, Paramount+ Essential announced a $2 increase to $7.99 for new customers, also a 33 percent increase. Existing customers keep their tariffs.

In early June, Warner Bros. Discovery increased its ad-free Max subscription price for the second time this year.

Experts suspect these increases are aimed at encouraging subscriptions to the Disney Bundle, which offers both Disney+ and Hulu with advertising for $10.99 after a $1 increase. The Bear is another big hit on both services

“Only Murders In The Building” is a top series and is shown on both Disney+ and Hulu. At Hulu, the ad-supported plan is up $2 to $9.99, while the ad-free option is up $1 to $18.99

Shogun will be shown on Disney+ under the FX banner

Spotify announced that the cost of its ad-free premium Individual subscription will rise by $1 per month to $11.99 in the US

The $1 price increase to $16.99 per month for the ad-free tier went into effect for new subscribers last month.

The “ultimate” ad-free option, which offers 4K streaming and the ability to run four accounts simultaneously, is also increasing by $1 to $20.99.

Spotify also announced last month that the cost of its individual premium ad-free subscription would rise by $1 per month to $11.99 in the US.