Disney plans to increase prices for its streaming services following pushback from Jimmy Kimmel.
Disney has announced an increase in subscription rates for its streaming services, effective October 21st for new subscribers and reflected in the first billing cycle for current subscribers. This decision arrives amidst a wave of public backlash and calls for a boycott following the recent suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, a network owned by Disney.
The price alterations will see Disney+ with ads and Hulu with ads rise by , bringing their monthly rates to .99. Additionally, Disney+ Premium will see an increase of , now costing subscribers .99 monthly. The Disney+ and Hulu bundle will also see a hike to .99 per month. Moreover, ESPN Select subscriptions will rise by to .99, while the Live TV Only plan on Hulu will see a significant increase of , now priced at .99.
Notably, prices for several bundle options that include services from non-Disney providers will also see increases. However, subscriptions for Hulu Premium, ESPN Unlimited, and the Disney+ with Hulu Premium bundle will remain unchanged.
The announcement comes a day after Disney confirmed that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would return to its regular timeslot, albeit not on affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, conservative media conglomerates. This development occurred amid growing pressure from the creative community, with various actors, writers, and unions expressing discontent over Kimmel’s abrupt suspension. The American Civil Liberties Union has also reportedly amassed over 400 signatures from notable figures, including acclaimed actors like Tom Hanks and Natalie Portman, protesting the move.
The backlash against Disney has prompted numerous subscribers to consider cancellation, reportedly overwhelming the cancellation page and leading to operational issues. While some reports indicate that the price hike was planned well before the controversies surrounding Kimmel, insiders have suggested that the company was compelled to act swiftly in resolving the situation to mitigate subscriber losses, with estimates indicating that over one million users have already left the platform.
As of August, Disney reported a collective subscriber base of approximately 207.4 million across its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The timing of the price adjustments against the backdrop of these events raises questions about the company’s strategy in navigating public relations challenges and its impact on overall subscriber retention.
As Disney continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape, these price adjustments may reflect both operational priorities and the challenges posed by audience sentiment in a rapidly changing environment.
