Across all three of the streaming services it now owns, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, Disney has become the first streaming provider to ever overtake Netflix in total subscribers.

And they'd like more money please. In the US subscriptions will rise on December 8.

Though it hasn't been confirmed we would also expect a local price hike.

In Australia Disney+ began with an $8.99 monthly cost which rose to $11.99 when they added more content, including Hulu.

Presently in the US Disney+ (without Hulu) costs $7.99 ($11.25 Oz) a month.

That price is rising to $10.99 ($15.74 Oz) and they're adding a subscription tier with advertisements at the current $7.99 cost.

Their new plan will include bundling but to get both Disney and Hulu content without ads, you have to get the most expensive bundle which includes ESPN+ (sports) for $19.99 ($28.15 Oz).

And even in that bundle ESPN+ content will include ads.

For context Disney's streaming services are operating at a big loss - $1.1 billion in their third fiscal quarter - and they're not expecting to profit until 2024.

Businesses have to make money. That's a certainty.

But viewers aren't bottomless pits of money and will ask, is it worth it?

Having trashed Star Wars their biggest drawcard is Marvel, whose recent films have generally not been up to snuff.

Out of MCU's phase four we'd only recommend Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and our fingers are crossed for upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

As for ads, we feel like we've been here before with Foxtel back in the day.

The point of paying a subscription is to not suffer ads.

[ Main Image: Disney+ Logo. Credit: Disney. ]

References

Disney+ (August 10, 2022). Ad-Supported Disney+ Subscription Tier To Launch In The U.S. On December 8. Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution.

Goldsmith, Jill (August 10, 2022). Disney’s Streaming Services Just Passed Netflix In Total Subscribers. Deadline.

Sherman, Alex (August 10, 2022). Disney raises streaming prices after services post big operating loss. CNBC.