Streaming Update: Netflix Officially More Expensive Than Disney+

Beginning this week, Netflix will officially cost more than Disney+ in the United States of America.

The Hollywood Reporter explains:

In the U.S., subscribers to Netflix’s basic plan, which allows for one stream on one screen at a time and does not have HD streaming, will now be charged $9.99 a month, up from $8.99. Standard plans — which allow for users to stream on two screens at the same time — now cost $15.49 per month, an increase from $13.99, while premium plans have inched up to $19.99 a month.

Netflix clarified that existing US subscribers would begin seeing the price change “over the coming weeks,” and at different times based on individual billing cycles. Subscribers will receive a 30-day notification when precisely the price hikes take effect via email and in-app message.

By raising its prices, Netflix officially makes itself more expensive than Disney’s streaming service. A Disney+ subscription starts at $7.99/month, and the Disney+ bundle package that includes a subscription to Hulu and ESPN+ starts at $13.99/month.

Since its debut under then-Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney+ is rapidly becoming the exclusive streaming home of not just Disney/Pixar property but also Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and family-friendly content from former 21st Century Fox such as Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds, and animated films from Blue Sky such as the Ice Age saga and Ron’s Gone Wrong starring Tom Holland. More and more Disney+ originals from all aforementioned entities are also being released, including original shows like NatGeo’s Welcome to Earth series with Will Smith, Star Wars’ The Book of Boba Fett, and Marvel’s Hawkeye. 

Now, Disney+ subscribers will be able to access not only Disney+ but also Hulu and ESPN+ for less than a single premiere access level subscription to Netflix which only offers an array of TV shows and movies. Hulu not only has become the streaming service of all Disney-owned content deemed not friendly enough for Disney+, but also offers live TV options. ESPN+ features talk shows, live sports, and more. Learn more about the Disney bundle at disneyplus.com.

Related: Are Disney+ Viewers Getting Marvel Fatigue?

Towards the end of 2021, The Walt Disney Company announced a slowing in new subscriptions despite following through on commitments to provide more original content and diverting more movies like Pixar’s Turning Red from a theatrical release to give subscribers immediate access.

As “the streaming wars” continue into another year, the proverbial digital battlefield filling with competitors like Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Apple TV, it will be interesting to see how Netflix’s price hikes affect Disney+’s influx of new subscribers.

What do you think of Disney+ subscription costs? Let us know in the comments!