Hulu hikes prices for on-demand streaming television

Subscribers to Hulu's on-demand streaming will need to pony up an extra $1 per month — but pricing on Live TV and Disney bundles remain unchanged.

On Tuesday, Hulu began informing subscribers that base-plan subscribers would be seeing a price hike starting October 8. Both ad-supported and ad-free programs will see their prices increase from $5.99 to $6.99 and $11.99 to $12.99 per month, respectively.

As pointed out by Variety, the upcoming price hike marks the first-ever for Hulu's no-ads tier. In addition, it's the first in nearly three years for Hulu's ad-supported video-on-demand package.

Those who subscribe to Hulu + Live TV will not see a price increase, their plans will remain steady at $64.99/month with ads, or $70.99/month. Those who subscribe to the ad-supported Disney Bundle, which includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, will continue to pay $13.99 a month, as well.

The price increase may push more users to subscribe to the Disney Bundle, which now offers a 36% discount compared to purchasing all three packages together.

Apple TV+, which launched in November of 2019, still remains one of the cheapest streaming options available to consumers. Those who buy a new Apple device are given three months of Apple TV+ for free, while new subscribers without Apple devices can get a 7-day free trial. After the trial ends, users pay just $4.99 for Apple's ever-expanding catalog of films, TV+ shows, and documentaries.

11 Comments

gatorguy 24609 comments · 13 Years

About 3 years ago

A bundle was my initial plan, but I have no interest in standalone ESPN+ and I seem to recall I couldn't do ad-free Hulu with the bundle anyway, although I could be mistaken.

hmlongco 580 comments · 9 Years

So, it's cable TV all over again with regular price hikes. I appreciate the article however, as it reminded me that I hadn't yet cancelled my Hulu subscription.

I just corrected that oversight.

tmay 6455 comments · 11 Years

gatorguy said:

A bundle was my initial plan, but I have no interest in standalone ESPN+ and I seem to recall I couldn't do ad-free Hulu with the bundle anyway, although I could be mistaken.

Gatorguy,

I've done Hulu ad free and Disney+ in the past. A few hoops to jump through, but it works. Probably easiest to do Hulu ad free signup, and then add Disney+, or other offerings.

I watched The Mandalorian, and a few Disney Films, then canceled. I'll re-up after a few new Star Wars Universe series arrive.

M68000 868 comments · 7 Years

hmlongco said:

So, it's cable TV all over again with regular price hikes. I appreciate the article however, as it reminded me that I hadn't yet cancelled my Hulu subscription.

I just corrected that oversight.

Let’s hope it’s not cable tv all over again. One price change, a small one at that, in three years is not that bad. Now if it becomes a yearly thing, that is a different story.

Appleish 714 comments · 8 Years

When will 'peak streaming' occur? Who wants to subscribe to a dozen $12 to $20 streaming services, much less Hulu's overpriced Live TV. Collect them all together and just call it "Comcast."