Aussie viewers told streaming giant Disney+ set to hike subscription prices

In news no subscriber wants to hear, one streaming giant has informed users of a monthly price increase on their subscriptions.

Aussie viewers will need to fork out more money if they wish to continue enjoying their favourite movies and TV shows on Disney+.

In news no subscriber wants to hear, the streaming giant sent out an email blast on Monday morning informing users of a price increase on their subscriptions.

The price hike, effective next month, will see subscribers go from paying $13.99 per month to $15.99 per month – a $2 monthly increase, which is roughly a 14 per cent hike.

“Effective on 28 March 2025, your subscription will now be called the Disney+ Standard plan and will change in price to $15.99 per month,” read the email.

“Your payment method on file will be charged unless you cancel your subscription before 28 March 2025.”

The email sent to Disney+ subscribers.

Disney last increased prices in March 2024 by nearly 30 per cent to $13.99 for the Standard plan and $17.99 for Premium.

When the platform first launched in Australia in November 2019, it was priced at just $8.99 per month. But with four price hikes since then, Disney+ subscription costs have almost doubled.

The latest price increase comes months after Disney started cracking down on password sharing in Australia.

Disney+ has seen four price hikes since it launched in Australia in 2019. Picture: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In September last year, the streamer sent out emails to Australian users telling them they would be charged extra should they wish to share their account with someone outside of their household.

Regardless if you’re on a Standard or Premium plan, a single extra member can be added to your account for $7.99 per month. The extra member gets the existing benefits as the primary account holder, however they can only watch on one device at a time.

Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger put an end to password-sharing last year. Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney

“We’ve been talking a lot about adding the technology features that we need to basically make it a higher return, higher-margin business, and a more successful business. And we’re doing that right now,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said at the time ahead of the change, which saw US subscribers among the first countries to see a crackdown on password sharing.

“We started our password-sharing initiative in June. That kicks in, in earnest, in September. By the way, we’ve had no backlash at all to the notifications that have gone out and to the work that we’ve already been doing,” he added.

According to the Australian Financial Review, Disney’s total Australian revenue grew to $810.7 million from $704.5 million in the year to September 30, 2023. It paid $18.5 million in tax on a profit of $60.2 million, with profits up almost 30 per cent.

As of June 2024, there are an estimated 3.1 million Disney+ subscribers in Australia.