Disney has sent shockwaves through the streaming world with the announcement of substantial price increases for its Disney+ service. The changes, set to take effect soon, will see monthly subscription costs rise significantly for millions of subscribers in the UK and beyond.
The New Pricing Structure
The most notable change is the introduction of a new premium, ad-free tier. This top-level subscription will replace the current standard offering and will see a sharp increase in cost. For customers who wish to avoid the higher price, a new, cheaper plan with advertisements will be made available, mirroring strategies adopted by competitors like Netflix.
A Crackdown on Password Sharing
In a move that will be familiar to Netflix users, Disney also confirmed plans to actively combat password sharing between households. The company intends to roll out measures to restrict account access to a single household, potentially forcing friends and family members living at different addresses to purchase their own subscriptions. This policy is expected to begin in the UK later this year.
Why the Increase?
The decision is largely driven by Disney's ambition to make its streaming division profitable. Despite amassing a huge global subscriber base, the segment has been a significant financial drain. The price hikes and new anti-password-sharing rules are direct attempts to boost revenue and achieve sustained profitability in a increasingly competitive market.
What Subscribers Can Do
Existing subscribers will be notified of the changes before they are applied. They will then face a choice: accept the higher monthly fee for an ad-free experience, switch to the new, more affordable plan with commercials, or cancel their subscription altogether. This puts the power—and a difficult decision—firmly in the hands of the consumer.
