Big changes are coming to Disney+ later this year, as the company plans to raise prices and add so-called “continuous playlists” and live news to the platform.
In terms of pricing, the monthly price for Disney+’s ad-supported plan will increase by $2 to $9.99, while the ad-free plan will increase by $2 to $15.99.
Hulu’s ad-supported plan will also increase by $2 per month to $9.99, while its ad-free plan will increase by $1 per month to $18.99.
Notably, the price increase is intended to drive consumers to the Disney Bundle, which offers Disney+ and Hulu’s ad tier for $10.99 per month (up $1 from previous prices), just slightly more than either service on its own.
The company is also increasing the price of ESPN+, which will rise by $1 to $11.99 per month, and Hulu With Live TV, which will increase by $6 per month to $82.99 (including ad-supported plans for Hulu and Disney+), and $95.99 for the ad-free plan.
All price increases will take effect on October 17th.
The company announced price increases in August last year, with the hikes taking effect in October, but only ad-free plans were affected last year.
But along with the price increase, Disney is also adding new features to Disney+. Most notably, the company is adding “playlists” to the service, which are essentially linear channels that viewers can start watching right away, just like a traditional TV network.
This includes ABC News Live, a live streaming service from Disney-owned ABC News, as well as a playlist of preschool content, including Sofia the First, The Lion Guard and Puppy Dog Pals.
Both channels will be available to all subscribers starting Sept. 4. (ABC News Live will launch ahead of the 2024 election.) Other channels based on seasonal content, retro and nostalgia programming, real-life programming and “epic stories” like Marvel and Star Wars will be added later in the fall, but will be available only to premium subscribers.
“Playlists are the latest example of how we’re delivering the best value and experience to our subscribers every time they open Disney+,” Disney+ president Alisa Bowen said in a statement. “With news, kids’ content, popular genres, hit TV shows, blockbuster movies and more, there will be something for everyone with a laid-back viewing experience based on seasons and interests.”
Playlists work similarly to the “channels” that users can find on subscription services like Peacock or free streaming services like Pluto TV and Tubi, with a linear schedule based on a particular theme or genre. Because users don’t have to hunt around for what they want to watch, they can start watching right away, and some media executives believe playlists help with “stickiness” and viewership.
