Disney Plus says price hikes and password crackdowns on the horizon

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Disney Plus is about to get a little more expensive for those who prefer their shows sans commercials. Starting October 12, the ad-free tier of Disney Plus will see a price jump from $10.99 to $13.99 per month. That’s a 27% increase, folks.

And it’s not just Disney Plus feeling the pinch. Hulu, another jewel in Disney’s streaming crown, is also set to hike its ad-free subscription from $14.99 to a whopping $17.99 per month.

To soften the blow, Disney is also rolling out a new ad-free bundle that includes both Disney Plus and Hulu for $19.99 per month. It’s a 37% discount from the standalone plans.

But is this enough to keep the subscribers hooked, or will they start exploring other streaming avenues?

Password sharing crackdown looming

As if the price hikes weren’t enough, Disney CEO Bob Iger dropped another bombshell. The company is “actively exploring ways to address account sharing,” hinting at a password crackdown similar to Netflix’s.

The exact details are still under wraps, but the enforcement is set to roll out in 2024.

Disney Plus and Hulu subscribers need to brace for these changes. The price hikes might be a hard pill to swallow for many, especially those who’ve been sharing passwords to keep costs down.

However, Disney’s attempt to provide value with the new bundle might still keep many aboard the Disney ship. It’s a delicate balancing act, and only time will tell if Disney’s gamble pays off.

So, dear readers, what’s your take? Is the ad-free experience worth the extra bucks, or will these changes have you saying “Hakuna Matata” to Disney Plus and Hulu?

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Disney explores ditching cable for streaming-only version of ESPN
• Disney streaming services now match Netflix subscriber numbers
• How to cancel your subscription to Disney Plus
• How to update Disney Plus parental controls

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.