Disney+ Subscribers React to ‘Ridiculous' Price Hikes
Disney+ subscribers have expressed frustration following recent emails informing them of upcoming subscription price increases. The streaming giant has announced that, effective March 27, 2025, the Premium subscription will rise from $139.99 to $209.99 annually, while the Standard plan will increase to $159.99 per year. This marks the fourth price hike since Disney+ launched in Australia in November 2019, when the initial cost was $8.99 per month. 0
The announcement has led to widespread dissatisfaction among subscribers, with many threatening to cancel their subscriptions. One Australian mother shared her frustration on Facebook, highlighting the significant increase and questioning the justification behind it. 1
In the UK, customers are experiencing similar frustrations. Subscribers who joined at the service's UK launch in March 2020 are now being billed under the new rates due to their billing cycles. The ‘Premium' plan will now cost £129.90 per year, up from £109.99, while the ‘Standard' tier jumps from £79.90 to £89.90 annually. Originally, a Disney+ subscription was £59.99 annually. Users have criticized the frequent hikes, with many considering or deciding to cancel their subscriptions in protest. 2
These price adjustments coincide with Disney's strategy to improve its earnings and revenue margins. In the year leading up to September 30, 2023, Disney's revenue in Australia grew to $810.7 million, with profits rising almost 30% to $60.2 million. 3
Despite the addition of ESPN sports programming on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand, many subscribers feel the price increases are unjustifiable, especially those who initially subscribed for Disney content specifically. The inclusion of services like ESPN, which some users do not necessarily want, has added to the frustration. 4
As streaming services continue to adjust their pricing models, subscribers are left to decide whether the expanded content offerings justify the increased costs.
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