MoneySavingExpert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, says households could cut hundreds of pounds from their annual bills by reviewing their streaming subscriptions and switching to cheaper billing arrangements, as Disney+ prepares to raise prices this month.
Existing Disney+ subscribers face a price increase from Wednesday, November 18, with those paying month-to-month hit hardest. The MSE team suggests three ways to keep costs down while retaining access to the platform's content, noting that one approach "could save you hundreds."
Disney+ Price Rise and Cheaper Payment Options
From November 18, the Standard plan will cost £11.99 per month, up by £2 per month (£24 per year), totalling £143.88 annually. However, customers can unlock immediate discounts by paying in larger time blocks, available to both new and existing subscribers.
The available plans from that date include Standard with Ads at £6.99 per month (no annual option), Standard without ads (streaming on two devices) at £11.99 per month or £119.90 annually (saving £23.98), and Premium without ads (streaming on four devices) at £15.99 per month or £159.90 annually (saving £31.98).
New or returning subscribers can also access a six-month 'Saver Plan' with reduced rates: Standard with Ads at £5.99 per month (auto-renewing at £6.99), Standard at £9.99 per month (auto-renewing at £11.99), and Premium at £11.99 per month (auto-renewing at £15.99).
Downgrading and Combining with TV Packages
MSE said customers could make instant savings by dropping to the lowest tier, provided they accept occasional adverts. Downgrading from Standard to Standard with Ads "could save £60 a year" for monthly payers.
Netflix offers a similar cheaper ad-supported plan at around £5.99 per month, compared with ad-free tiers like Standard at £12.99. Another way to reduce costs is to combine streaming services with existing TV packages such as Sky or Virgin.
Rotating Subscriptions to Maximise Value
The MSE team also advises paying for just one streaming service at a time rather than maintaining multiple subscriptions simultaneously. Unused subscriptions still drain bank accounts every month, and the potential savings could be significant.
The MSE team states: "Paying for Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video at the same time costs hundreds of pounds a year. Why not just pick one service, watch what you want on it, then cancel it and move on to the next? That way, you are saving money and won't be tied into a lengthy contract."
For monthly subscribers who rarely use a platform, there is generally no contract tying them in, and most services allow cancellation without penalty and re-subscription at a later date.
