Disney+ is set to implement a price increase in Canada, affecting its commercial-free streaming packages. The monthly cost for the standard high-definition subscription will go up by $3 to $15.99, while the premium 4K package will see a $1 increase to $16.99 per month. However, the price for the standard subscription with ad breaks will remain unchanged at $8.99 a month. This adjustment is part of a broader strategy by streaming companies to promote their ad-supported options, which offer lower costs for subscribers while generating revenue from advertisements.
The price hike in Canada follows similar adjustments in other regions like the United States and the United Kingdom. Notably, this is the first price increase by Disney+ in Canada in about two years, whereas other streaming platforms like Netflix and Apple TV Plus have raised their prices this year. Additionally, Disney+ is transitioning from using the Star branding to Hulu in all international markets, including Canada, to align more closely with the U.S. and global markets. This change will not impact the programming selection on Disney+.
In recent news, Disney+ faced backlash from consumers due to its handling of the Jimmy Kimmel controversy, which led to a public boycott and subscription cancellations. The controversy stemmed from comments made by Kimmel about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, resulting in Kimmel’s suspension by the Disney-owned TV network ABC. This decision sparked discussions about freedom of speech.
Overall, the streaming landscape continues to evolve, with companies making strategic moves to adjust pricing and content offerings to meet changing consumer demands and market trends.