Disney+ has increased the cost of its main plans starting today. Both the standard and premium subscriptions now cost more. For the standard yearly plan, the fee has gone up from 89.90 euros to 99.90 euros, a 10% rise. The monthly standard plan has also jumped from 8.99 euros to 9.99 euros. Premium users will feel the pinch as well. The monthly premium plan now costs 13.99 euros, while the yearly premium option has increased from 119.90 euros to 139.90 euros. However, the ad-supported version of Disney+ remains at 5.99 euros per month. A new fee of 5.99 euros per month will also be charged for adding extra members to the standard plan.
Disney+ Price Increase Mirror Market Trends
Disney+ is not the only streaming platform raising fees. Since the service launched in 2019, its prices have grown from 6.99 euros to 9.99 euros for the standard plan. Other streaming giants, such as Netflix, have also upped their rates over time, signalling an ongoing trend in the industry.
For users looking to cut costs, there are several free alternatives. Some public broadcasters offer their content for free in digital libraries. Ad-supported platforms like Joyn or Pluto TV provide free shows and movies, though users must watch ads. For anime fans, Crunchyroll offers a mix of free and paid content.
Disney+ price hikes are not limited to Germany. Neighbouring countries such as Austria and Switzerland also face increased costs. In Austria, the premium yearly plan now costs 139.90 euros. In Switzerland, users will pay 149 francs for the standard yearly plan and 179 francs for the premium plan.
Despite the higher fees, Disney+ remains popular due to its wide range of content. The platform offers fan favourites from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. In the third quarter of 2024, Disney+ reported 153.8 million subscribers worldwide—an increase of seven million compared to the same period in 2023.
Conclusion
Although the Disney+ price increase may encourage some subscribers to explore alternative platforms, many users are likely to remain loyal to Disney+ due to its extensive library of popular movies and series. As subscription prices continue to rise across the streaming industry, consumers will need to critically evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each service. Balancing entertainment preferences with financial considerations will become increasingly important as users decide which platforms offer the best overall value.
