Disney+ surges 38% after Disney’s streaming service posts $1 billion loss

Disney+ is currently one of the most affordable streaming services for movies and TV shows on the market, but the low price won’t stay that way for long. Media giant Disney has announced that it will begin raising prices for all of its streaming services, at least in the US, and the increases are substantial. However, those who don’t want to pay extra will still have the option of staying on a cheaper subscription, which will be supported by ads, however.

Disney+ is making the basic subscription more expensive and introducing one with ads at the old price

In Romania, Disney+ currently costs 29.99 lei per month or 299.90 lei per year, while the subscription in the US costs $7.99 per month. Starting December 8, however, Disney plans to raise the price of the services it offers in the US from $7.99 to $10.99. That’s a steep 38% increase in the subscription price, which should reduce some of the financial burden the streaming service puts on the company’s business.

Those who don’t want to pay extra will have the option of keeping their original $7.99 subscription, but will get ads before the movies. But Disney+ isn’t the only company service that will be priced out. Hulu, which isn’t available in Romania (but its content appears on Disney+ here) will go up $2, from $12.99 to $14.99, starting October 10. In the case of Hulu, where there is already a cheaper subscription with ads, that price will also rise from $6.99 to $7.99. ESPN+, the sports streaming service, will also increase in price in the US to $9.99, a 43% hike.

The decision comes on the heels of Disney’s $1.1 billion loss in the fiscal quarter just ended, $300 million more than original estimates. Previously, Disney had expected losses for Disney+ through 2024, but the new decisions suggest that despite adding 15 million new subscribers, the service is losing more money than originally estimated.

It’s unclear whether these rate changes will be implemented from December worldwide, or if they will only apply in the US. Until an official confirmation, we can assume that for the time being, the Romanian price of Disney+ will remain unchanged.