You Can Get Disney+ for a Major Discount
By Movieguide® Contributor
Disney+ is offering a special limited-time plan for new and returning customers at a major discount.
The plan offers the Disney+ Basic plan, which includes ads, for just $1.99 a month for three months. Subscribers have from Sept. 12-27 to snag the deal.
Despite the awesome savings right now, Disney will hike prices on Oct. 17. Disney+ Basic will increase from $7.99 to $9.99, and Disney+ Premium, Hulu, ESPN+ and other bundle prices will increase.
Deadline reported, “The move comes as Disney remains in a standoff with DirecTV over linear carriage for 16 networks, which went dark on the major pay-TV distributor on September 1.”
DirecTV subscribers lost access to channels like ESPN and ABC due to the dispute. Like Disney, it’s also hiking subscription prices.
“We’re adjusting the price of your television package in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, while still delivering the best possible programming,” the company said. “TV networks are continuing to increase the fees they charge DirecTV for the right to distribute the content they produce, including movies, shows, and sporting events. We remain steadfast in our commitment to bring you the best programming at a fair and reasonable price.”
However, people are fed up with the price increases in this economy, which may make Disney’s new offer appealing to some.
Movieguide® previously reported on rising streaming service prices:
The average cost for streaming services rose by 23% last year. Nearly every streaming platform raised its monthly subscription cost by three or more dollars, a change that has many consumers reconsidering their subscriptions.
Last November, Disney+ received massive backlash after announcing a price hike, and “Cancel Disney Plus” trended across social media as millions of Americans realized the service may not be worth the price. While not every platform has faced significant backlash, the rising costs are beginning to weigh on consumers.
The industry as a whole also saw a significant price point reached last August, when the cost to subscribe to the major streaming services topped the price for a basic cable plan for the first time. Since then, multiple platforms have further raised their prices, widening this gap.
Unfortunately, prices will only continue to grow as companies continue to seek a profit. As of October 2023, Netflix was the only streamer with a positive gross cash flow. This feat was achieved by leading the industry in a password crackdown and introducing an ad-level subscription tier.
