Disney has confirmed a new round of price increases for its streaming bundles, affecting Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The change reflects the company’s ongoing push to balance rising production costs, sports rights, and investments in original content.
Disney is raising prices on several of its streaming services—including Disney+, Hulu, and various bundles—starting October 21, 2025. The updates affect ads vs ad-free plans, bundles (with ESPN Select, HBO Max, and more), and legacy subscription deals.
Disney+ Price Increase: What New York Subscribers Should Know
What’s Changing: New Hulu Price Increase + More
Here’s a breakdown of the Hulu price increase and other changes across the Disney streaming portfolio:
| Plan / Subscription | Old Monthly Price | New Monthly Price (starting Oct 21) |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu with ads (stand-alone) | $9.99 | $11.99 |
| Disney+ with ads (stand-alone) | $9.99 | $11.99 |
| Disney+ Premium (no ads) | $15.99 | $18.99 |
| Bundle: Disney+ & Hulu (with ads) | $10.99 | $12.99 |
| Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select (with ads) | $16.99 | $19.99 |
| Ad-free bundle versions / premium tiers | Various | Raised by a few dollars per plan (e.g. $26.99 to ~$29.99) |
Why the Price Hikes?
- Disney says it needs to bolster profitability for its streaming business, which only recently became profitable.
- Costs of producing original content, licensing, maintaining streaming infrastructure, and competition all factor in.
- Customer behavior (bundle preferences, ad-supported vs ad-free plans) is shifting, so Disney is rebalancing pricing to match value, demand, and usage.
What This Means for Your Hulu Account & Subscription
If you have a Hulu account or a Hulu subscription:
- Expect your bill to go up if you’re on a paid plan (especially with ads).
- Review your plan type: ad-free vs ad-supported. If you dislike ads, staying on ad-free might now cost significantly more.
- Bundles involving Hulu will also see adjusted pricing, so if you have a bundle with Disney+ or ESPN Select, your monthly cost will increase.
- This might be a good time to check whether your Hulu account offers “cancel subscription” options, or whether switching plans (lower tier, more ads) is more cost-effective.
Industry Context: Price Increases Are Trending
- Disney isn’t alone — many major streaming platforms (Netflix, Apple TV+, etc.) have raised prices over the past year or more.
- The streaming wars are intensifying: content exclusivity, live sports, and licensing remain expensive. Service providers are using ad-supported models, bundles, and tiered pricing to manage costs.
- Some backlash is expected: some subscribers may cancel their subscription, downgrade plans, or shift to free/ad-supported platforms. Companies must balance revenue vs customer satisfaction.
Bottom Line
- Disney+ price increases will affect nearly every plan, with Hulu price increases included, especially in bundles and ad-supported plans.
- If you’re on Disney+, Hulu, or a bundled service, your monthly cost is about to go up come October 21, 2025.
- For those looking to minimize costs: evaluate plans (ad vs no-ads), consider bundle vs stand-alone, or think about canceling the subscription if the value doesn’t feel fair.
