Observed Signal · Aug 10, 2023 · Policy Update · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Disney Plus and Hulu Raise Prices Amid Streaming Cost Increases
Disney is raising US subscription prices for Disney+ and Hulu, continuing a wave of increases across the streaming industry. From October 12, Disney+ without ads will rise from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, a 27% jump. Hulu's ad-free plan will increase by 20% to $17.99, matching Netflix's standard price, while its ad-supported plan stays at $7.99. Starting November 1, Disney will roll out its ad-supported Disney+ offering in selected European markets and Canada. The company's streaming business lost $512 million in Q2 2023, an improvement from a $1 billion loss a year earlier. Disney+ subscribers fell from 157.8 million to 146.1 million, driven mainly by the loss of Indian Premier League cricket rights. CEO Bob Iger said Disney will begin cracking down on password sharing from 2024.
Expansion of Disney's ad-supported streaming plans in Europe/Canada increases premium CTV ad supply and reinforces the industry-wide shift to advertising-funded streaming models.
Track Hulu Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Disney+ ad-free subscription in the US will increase from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, a 27% rise, effective October 12, 2023.
- Hulu's ad-free plan will increase by 20% to $17.99 per month, while the ad-supported plan remains at $7.99.
- Disney will launch its ad-supported Disney+ offering in selected European markets and Canada on November 1, 2023.
- Disney's streaming unit lost $512 million in Q2 2023, compared with a $1 billion loss in Q2 2022.
- Disney+ subscribers fell by 11.7 million to 146.1 million worldwide, mainly due to lost Indian Premier League cricket rights.
- CEO Bob Iger announced Disney will start cracking down on password sharing in 2024.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“Die Teuerungswelle betrifft auch die Disney-Tochter Hulu....”
“Disney hat die Rechte an der wichtigen indischen Cricket-Liga Indian Premier League (IPL) verloren....”
“So hat Netflix im Mai seine lange angekündigten Maßnahmen gegen Account-Sharing umgesetzt....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Ben Affleck's AI Knowledge Goes Viral
Ben Affleck, the actor who sold his AI filmmaking startup to Netflix for a reported $587 million, has gone viral for demonstrating deep understanding of AI technology in recent interviews. He discussed machine learning, neural networks, and even admitted to writing Python scripts. Affleck detailed his journey from analog to digital film, his use of AI in visual effects, and his creation of a proprietary dataset for ethical AI filmmaking. He also visited OpenAI and used his celebrity status to access emerging tech. Affleck addressed AI's potential, expressing concerns about its effect on education and learned helplessness rather than existential threats. He used AI in his movie 'Animals' and emphasized the additive nature of AI in filmmaking.
Netflix Orders New Bridgerton Spinoff About Violet
Netflix has ordered a new Bridgerton spinoff series focusing on the matriarch Violet Bridgerton and her romance with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. The announcement was made via the official Bridgerton Instagram account. Shonda Rhimes will executive produce, co-write, and showrun alongside Nicholas Nardini. The series does not yet have a title. Existing seasons 1-4 of Bridgerton and the first spinoff 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' are currently streaming on Netflix. Season 5, centered on Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling, is in production.
Monster Hunter Rise Appears on Mobile via Netflix
Capcom's Monster Hunter Rise appears to be coming to iOS and Android as a Netflix game, with listings spotted on Google Play and the App Store on October 7. The game is free to download but requires a Netflix membership, and Netflix is listed as the publisher. The mobile version includes adjustments such as Challenge and Event Quests unlocked through progression, a Recovery Button, and rebuilt touch controls. This follows Capcom's announcement that Monster Hunter Rise has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Additionally, Tencent and Capcom's Monster Hunter Outlanders launches on mobile on October 29. This move aligns with Netflix's strategy to focus on big-name IP titles for its games service.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.