Lyra Martin Tech 08.10.2022 20:Aug PM EDT

Disney+ to Increase the Price of Its Ad-Free Streaming — How Much Will It Be?

Disney said that the price of the ad-free subscription in the US would rise, and users must join up for the ad-supported plan if they want to retain the current price.

Disney Announced a Disney+ Subscription Price Hike and an Ad-Support Plan

Disney+ will continue to raise its fees. In its third-quarter earnings report, Disney said that starting on December 8, the cost of the ad-free subscription in the US would increase by $3 to $11 per month.

Users must sign up for the ad-supported tier that launches the same day if they want to maintain the same pricing. In other words, the ad-supported plan won't be less expensive. They simply have to pay extra to maintain your current, uninterrupted experience.

The media behemoth also announced that starting on October 10, the cost of ad-free Hulu will increase by $2 to $15 per month. Additionally, users will pay $8 per month as opposed to the current $7 if they may accept adverts.

Ads are available on Disney+ and Hulu for a $10 monthly fee. A package that includes ad-supported ESPN+, ad-free Disney+, and its Hulu equivalent costs $15 per month, but if you can bear advertising on all three, the price drops to $13. To access the trio without any sales pitches, you must pay $20 a month.

Disney explained price hikes. Despite acquiring 14.4 million Disney+ users during the quarter, the streaming-focused division's operating losses grew from $293 million to $1.1 billion. Disney+ and Hulu production costs are increasing.

The performance stands in stark contrast to a significant opponent. While Disney is preparing its own ad-driven strategy, Netflix is already losing members since it is relying on advertising to revive growth. Despite its uncertain financial situation, Disney+ is in a better place.

An Original Animated Series from Marvel Studios Launched on Disney+

"I Am Groot," an original animated series from Marvel Studios, debuted today (August 10) on Disney+ and features a toddler-aged Groot from "Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2." As its name implies, the animation focuses on Groot in his Baby Groot phase, the floral colossus of the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

The collection of cartoons follows Baby Groot as he gets into and out of trouble in a photorealistic animated universe. James Gunn, who directed "Guardians of the Galaxy," is one of the show's executive producers, while Vin Diesel is back to voice Groot. I Am Groot is the newest in a long line of animated films produced by Marvel Studios.

Kirsten Lepore, an animator, previously remarked that she had incredible meetings with James Gunn numerous times in the process. The most important, according to Lepore, was their first kickoff meeting when they essentially just spoke about the character he built to make sure we could portray baby Groot properly.

The CEO of Marvel Studios Animation, Brad Winderbaum, recently told ComicBook.com, "I believe if I told you about our animation ambitions, it would blow your mind."

According to Winderbaum, there are no rules, which is both fascinating and terrifying since one has to make their own. It's the most genuine expression of the creators' imaginations.

Disney+ now has the first two "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies for viewing. May 5, 2023, is the scheduled release date for "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3." A date for the Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special is still pending.