Disney is raising streaming prices again, and the timing could not be worse. On October 21, the cost of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN plans will rise across nearly every tier. Disney+ with ads moves from $9.99 to $11.99, while the ad-free option climbs from $15.99 to $18.99. Hulu and ESPN Select are also going up, and bundles will become more expensive too.
This announcement lands just as the company is still managing the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel Live. Analysts estimate the suspension and reinstatement of Kimmel could cost Disney around 14 million dollars this year. On the surface, it looks like subscribers are being asked to cover that loss with higher bills. That is the optics many people see, and it is a tough look for a brand that is already under pressure.
Executives insist that is not the case. According to reporting from TheWrap, the price increases were planned well in advance of the Kimmel controversy. The company says it reviews pricing regularly in order to invest in content and product development. Investors have also been told repeatedly by CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston that raising subscription rates is part of the long-term strategy to make streaming profitable as traditional television revenue continues to shrink.
The fact remains that Disney has now raised streaming prices almost every October since 2022. That consistency looks like discipline on Wall Street, but it does not erase the frustration for subscribers. Even if these hikes were already scheduled, rolling them out in the shadow of Kimmel’s controversy makes the timing feel like subscribers are footing the bill.
The video below takes a closer look at the numbers, the business context, and the perception problem Disney cannot escape.
👉 Do you think Disney is simply sticking to its plan, or are subscribers effectively paying for Kimmel’s fallout?
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