Skip to main content

Disney Plus, Hulu are getting major price hikes (because Disney really wants you to try the new Disney Plus bundle)

Disney Plus and Hulu are about to get even more expensive

By Shawn Laib Published September 14, 2023

The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed — Marques Kaspbrak / Unsplash

Disney Plus and Hulu have been the homes of some of the best programs on TV for years now. Disney Plus’s best shows include Star Wars hits like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, while Hulu has allowed their creators to flourish with creative endeavors like The Bear and Steve Martin’s mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building. Out of fear of missing out, many TV fans are signed up for both services so they can watch the entirety of these programming slates.

Unfortunately, Disney has decided to increase the price of both of these streamers. The Disney Plus bundle is designed to give fans a discounted price if they want both channels for their viewing pleasure. Let’s start with the non-bundle basics, though. The Disney Plus price without commercials was $10.99 per month, but is increasing to $13.99 per month starting on October 12, 2023. The Hulu price without commercials used to be $14.99 and will now be $17.99. This is where the Hulu Disney bundle will really help out. If you want both of these services from the media empire, you can get them without commercials for $19.99 per month.

Recommended Videos

Another simple solution to your money problems would be to just stay with the versions accompanied by commercials. You can still enjoy Hulu and Disney Plus together with commercials for $9.99 monthly. If you also want ESPN+ in your bundle, you can sign up for the trio basic bundle that costs a mere $14.99 monthly. ESPN+ gives you some added benefits that the cable giant doesn’t always provide on their basic network, such as more boxing and Major League Baseball games.

Often companies like Disney try to use these bundles to get you to buy more than you actually need, though. If you really only want one of these services, there’s no reason to buy a bundle. There are plenty of programs to watch on just Disney Plus if you aren’t interested in Hulu. The Disney Plus price is $7.99 per month with advertisements, but it’s 13.99 per month without advertisements.

If all of these price increases seem a little tone-deaf at a time when studios won’t pay actors and writers fair wages, it’s because they are. Hopefully, the big conglomerates in charge will start to realize that the people behind the camera and in front of it are responsible for their success, and they don’t have to compensate for fair wages by forcing customers to pay more. Let’s not get our hopes up, though.

Contributor

Shawn Laib is a freelance writer with publications such as Den of Geek, Quote.com, Edge Media Network, diaTribe, SUPERJUMP…

Topics

Streaming

Culture

What’s the deal with Bryson DeChambeau? The Open Championship controversy explained

DeChambeau drew ire and measured responses over the weekend.

Baseball Cap, Cap, Clothing

It was Ryan Fox who birdied the 18th hole on Sunday to win The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Despite the electric finish, all anyone's talking about is Bryson DeChambeau, who was given a two-stroke penalty following Friday's second round. The penalty has apparently divided the golf community, but the fact remains that DeChambeau's response to the penalty over the weekend took away from Fox's triumphant moment. And now, word is that DeChambeau reportedly tried and failed to rope President Donald Trump into said controversy.

The drama unfolded after Friday's second round, when it seemed DeChambeau finished the day in sole possession of second place with a -7 under score heading into the third round. At least it appeared that way -- until the leaderboard was updated to reflect a two-stroke penalty against DeChambeau, after officials claimed he stomped on the grass behind his ball to improve the line of his swing at No. 5. That, officials say, violates Rule 8.1, which states that, in order "to support the principle of 'play the course as you find it,' this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected 'conditions affecting the stroke' (anywhere on or off the course)."

Culture

Spain outlasts Argentina to win FIFA World Cup and cap sensational tournament

Spain's relentless pressure finally paid off in extra time.

Celebrating, Person, Clothing

And just like that, Argentina's luck ran out. Spain's Ferran Torres emphatically found the back of the net from 8 yards out in extra time to secure La Roja a 1-0 win and the country's second World Cup. Torres' goal came in the 106th minute, but don't let that fool you: this was a one-sided contest from start to finish, and a deeper look at the box score reflects that.

I predicted Spain would beat Argentina, 3-1, and from the start it seemed like that prediction would come to fruition. Spain came out swinging, almost immediately recording two shots on goal, including an early header that came so close to finding the back of the net. Spain's relentless attack was evident throughout the match. La Roja applied pressure with swift passing and precision shots. Just ask Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, who seemed to be the only one playing defense, making one spectacular save after another, 11 to be exact.

Culture

England-France playing for third place an instant World Cup classic

It was only for third place, but what a thriller.

Head, Person, Face

If you tuned in for the World Cup England-France game and checked out at halftime, nobody would have blamed you. The Three Lions led 4-0 at the half in a third-place game that was a blowout. You would have been right to assume England was in complete control and France had all but given up. You also would have been forgiven for turning off the TV and moving on to the rest of your Saturday. But for those who stuck it out, you were rewarded for your patience and loyalty.

France didn't waste any time getting on the board just three minutes into the second half with Kylian Mbappé's first goal of the game. Mbappé's goal didn't matter all that much at that point, except if you've been following the Golden Boot race. England still held a commanding 4-1 lead, thanks to goals from Declan Rice (3rd minute), Ezri Konsa (18th), and Bukayo Saka's brace (37th and stoppage time). Saka would complete the hat-trick in the 87th minute with a penalty conversion.