In an effort to boost subscriptions to its bundled streaming services, Disney has announced another round of price hikes for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Effective mid-October, monthly plans for most packages will increase by $1 to $2, with the most expensive Hulu plans, including live TV, seeing a $6 monthly price increase.

Disney revealed that its basic and premium Disney+ plans will rise by $2, with the new prices set at $9.99 and $15.99, respectively. Hulu, on the other hand, will cost $9.99 per month for the ad-supported version, up from $7.99, while the ad-free option will be priced at $18.99, a $1 increase. ESPN+ subscriptions, featuring ads, will see their monthly cost go up by $1 to $11.99.

This move is part of Disney's strategy to encourage customers to subscribe to bundled packages that include both Hulu and Disney+, alongside ESPN+. However, the existing bundle for Disney+ and Hulu, with ads, will only increase by $1 and be priced at $10.99 per month. The bundle without ads will maintain its current rate of $19.99 per month.

Recently, Disney also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a bundled plan that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max. This bundle will continue to be available at $16.99 per month with ads and $29.99 per month without ads, offering a savings of 38% compared to individual subscriptions.

To attract new users, Disney will introduce additional features such as ABC News Live and curated playlists with preschool content starting from September 4th. Moreover, the company plans to offer more curated playlists exclusively for premium subscribers. Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+, stated that these playlists are part of their commitment to providing the best value and experience for their subscribers.

It is essential to note that Disney recently faced some setbacks, as it laid off 140 employees in its TV unit. The company is set to report its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday before the market opens.

With these price increases and the introduction of enticing features, Disney aims to expand its subscriber base and maintain its position as a leading streaming service provider in the highly competitive industry.