In August, during Disney’s third-quarter earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that price increases would be coming to Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+. Those who had subscribed to Disney’s ad-supported tier of Disney+ would continue to pay $7.99 per month. But those who wanted to keep watching Disney+ without ads would have to pay $13.99 beginning October 12.
Well, October 12 is here and subscribers are being reminded that their Disney+ subscription price is about to jump. This is the second price increase subscribers have seen in just one year. And to say they are not happy about it would be an understatement.
i paid for $79.99 for disney plus with no ad last year.
and this year, it’s set to renew at $139.99?!
thanks for the heads up to add $60 more on my subscription. WOW.
i paid for $79.99 for disney plus with no ad last year.
and this year, it’s set to renew at $139.99?!
thanks for the heads up to add $60 more on my subscription. WOW. pic.twitter.com/qnAnnpe4Jf
— sincerely, ivy marie. 💫 (@sincerelyivy) October 9, 2023
One of the biggest issues subscribers have is that they don’t think they are getting value out of what they are paying for.
This is insane.. the nerve to raise prices that much while also removing so much content is a very bad move
This is insane.. the nerve to raise prices that much while also removing so much content is a very bad move
— Sebastian (@Schroyers) October 9, 2023
During that same August earnings call, Bob Iger said that the company was going to be taking a harder look at the content they were producing for the streaming service. He said that they would be removing content that cost more to keep on the platform than it was making. He also cut the budget of many of the original programs that were not canceled.
This year alone, Disney has canceled a number of original shows that were made specifically for Disney+. This includes The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Big Shot, National Treasure: Edge of History, Willow, and Doogie Kamealoha MD. Disney also canceled two series that were filmed but had not yet premiered on Disney+ — The Spiderwick Chronicles and Nautilus.
Related: Another Disney+ Series Canceled Before Even Airing
Iger said that most of Disney’s new subscribers were opting for the ad-supported tier, which has remained steady at $7.99 per month. However, there are some who are so fed up with the price increases that they are canceling the streaming service altogether.
I think I’m going to cancel Disney Plus. I don’t watch enough to stand by and let them do that price increase. One less subscription for me
I think I'm going to cancel Disney Plus. I don't watch enough to stand by and let them do that price increase. One less subscription for me
— Memento Mori (@mementomori9991) October 10, 2023
In addition to the price increases, Iger informed subscribers that a password-sharing crackdown was coming. He did not say when exactly it would happen. The password crackdown is set to begin for Canadian Disney+ subscribers next month. Iger said that US subscribers could expect the password-sharing limitations to start in 2024, but there is no guarantee.
Related: Disney Quietly Removes Popular Streaming Feature
In the less than four years since it has been around, Disney+ has become quite the headache for The Walt Disney Company. This year alone, Disney+ has already caused Disney to lose approximately $2 BILLION. In addition to that, Disney and now-fired CEO Bob Chapek are being sued for lying about Disney+.
Related: Bob Chapek Calls Being Disney CEO “Three Years of Hell”
Two lawsuits have been filed against Chapek, ex-CFO Christine McCarthy, and Chapek’s right-hand man, Kareem Daniel. Investors are accusing Chapek of lying about how profitable Disney+ could be, when it would become profitable, and how many subscribers it actually has. One of those lawsuits also names Disney and alleges they are responsible for Chapek’s reported lies as well.
Will you be keeping Disney+ now that the prices are so much higher? Let us know in the comments!
Why is it us little people have to pay more for less you’re cutting programming but you’re raising the prices for less why would I stay around to pay more and see less.