Even as these streaming services, of which there are many, continue to rake in customers, prices aren’t set in stone. Which means, eventually, a price hike is probably going to happen. Hulu’s no stranger to that, and now the service is doing it again, with new price plans going into effect starting in October of this year.
As noted today by Variety, the streaming service owned by Disney is set to raise prices for its on-demand plans that aren’t bundled with other options starting on October 8, 2021. This means if you are subscribed to the ad-supported plan, or the ad-free option, you’ll be getting a price change beginning next month. Prices will go from $5.99 to $6.99 (with ads) per month, and from $11.99 to $12.99 per month (without ads for some content). This will impact both new and existing customers.
While Hulu is hiking the price for some plans, it’s not doing so for the Disney Bundle option. That particular package brings the ad-supported version of Hulu together with ESPN+ and Disney+, all streaming services under the same umbrella. You’ll even sign into all three with the same email address if you go with the bundle. As it stands, the Disney Bundle costs $13.99 per month for all three services.
Which means the Hulu plan without ads is just $1 less than the Disney Bundle option. Keep in mind, while that might seem worth it to some, it means you’re going to have to live with ads while watching Hulu again if you opt for the Disney Bundle. If you go with ad-free Hulu and the Disney Bundle, that will cost $19.99 per month.
The original report notes that this pricing change could get some people to switch from the standard Hulu-only option to the Disney Bundle, so Disney’s obviously pushing for more bundled subscribers. Whether or not the plan works, though, remains to be seen.
Finally, the Hulu + Live TV streaming option isn’t seeing a price change, either. You’ll still need to fork over $64.99 per month for that one. For now.