In a move aimed at maximizing revenue and encouraging bundle subscriptions, Disney will be implementing price increases on its popular streaming platforms starting mid-October. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, most plans for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will see a monthly price hike of $1 to $2, while the cost of the most expensive plans for Hulu, including live TV, will increase by $6 per month.

Disney+ will now have a basic plan priced at $9.99 per month, with the premium option available at $15.99 per month. Hulu, on the other hand, will offer a monthly subscription with ads for $9.99, and a higher-priced ad-free version for $18.99. Meanwhile, ESPN+, which features advertisements, will see its price rise to $11.99 per month.

These price adjustments come as Disney aims to steer its customers towards bundled offerings, providing a greater value for their investment. For some time now, Disney has been offering a bundle of its own services, allowing customers to choose between Hulu and Disney+, or both streaming services along with ESPN+. Notably, the existing bundle of Disney+ and Hulu, with ads, will also undergo a price increase this fall, going up by $1 to $10.99 per month. However, the bundle without ads will maintain its current rate of $19.99 per month.

In addition to its existing bundles, Disney has also entered into a partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to introduce a new bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max. This bundle, available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 commercial-free, offers a significant savings of 38% compared to purchasing the services separately.

To further entice subscribers, Disney will be adding ABC News Live and a curated preschool content playlist to all subscribers starting from September 4. Moreover, the company plans to introduce four more curated playlists exclusively for premium subscribers. Alisa Bowen, President of the streaming platform, emphasized how these playlists are just one example of how Disney aims to provide its subscribers with the best value and experience.

Disney is scheduled to report its fiscal third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, which will help gauge the impact of these pricing changes on the company's financial performance. With the objective of driving bundle subscriptions and maximizing profitability, Disney's decision to raise prices on its streaming services reflects the ongoing dynamics and competition within the streaming industry.