Disney+ subscribers were recently hit with a price increase, causing frustration and confusion among fans. This comes on the heels of Disney+ slashing a significant amount of content from its platform, leaving some wondering who makes these decisions and what it means for the streaming service’s future.
Disney+’s Price Increase
In December of 2022, Disney+ raised its prices by 38%, with an ad-free subscription now costing $10.99/month. Despite this significant increase, the service retained 94% of its subscribers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Only 5% of users canceled their subscriptions, while less than 1% switched to the cheaper ad-supported version ($7.99/month).
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While the price increase may be necessary for Disney to recoup some of the losses it has experienced in its streaming segment, the company needs to continue to listen to its customers and provide value for their money. Cutting content and raising prices without compelling new offerings could eventually lead to a backlash from fans.
One of the reasons Disney+ may have felt the need to increase prices is the significant amount of content that it recently cut from the platform. In November 2022, the service removed several movies and TV shows from its library, including classic films like Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Disney has stated that this decision was made to make room for new content coming to the platform in the future. However, some fans feel disappointed by the loss of these classic titles. Fans have naturally raised the question of who makes these decisions about which content to cut and whether they are considering the preferences of Disney+ subscribers.
After just announcing they’re removing content? Who makes these decisions?!
— MediaVerse: Comics Unwrapped (@MediaverseCU) May 11, 2023
I'm already Meh about the service and their release an episode a week rather than dropping the full season at once annoys me enough too… price goes up, I find something else.
— Drew (@recently_reaped) May 12, 2023
Disney+ is an absolute fail. The current price isn't worth the content. They lost 4 million subscribers last quarter & it's gonna get worse when they increase the price.
— South End Card (@Snyder_502) May 11, 2023
Time to cancel until the shows I watch come back
— TheBlackxRanger (@TheBlackxRanger) May 12, 2023
A price increase yet all their shows are less than an hour. Absolutely not getting our moneys worth
— Tom (@TM41142) May 11, 2023
We’re witnessing Disney’s downfall
— Sebastiaan (@skamersss) May 12, 2023
Despite these recent changes, Disney+ remains a major player in the streaming market. The platform has seen significant growth since its launch in 2019, with 157.8 million subscribers after losing four million subscribers in the second quarter of 2023.
Will Disney+ Price Hike Be Worth The Cost?
The service’s focus on family-friendly content has helped it attract a loyal fan base. Its recent move to introduce a less expensive ad-supported version has also been successful. However, the streaming market is becoming increasingly crowded, with new players like Paramount+ and Discovery+ entering the fray.
To remain competitive, Disney+ must continue to innovate and provide compelling new content that keeps subscribers engaged. One area where Disney+ may be able to differentiate itself is its connection to the larger Disney brand.
Disney has a wealth of beloved characters and franchises, from Mickey Mouse to Star Wars, that it can draw upon to create new content for the platform. Additionally, Disney has several upcoming projects that could help drive growth for the service.
For example, the company announced several new Star Wars shows, including Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett, and Marvel shows like She-Hulk did well among their audiences. These shows could help drive subscriptions from fans without worrying about losing them as customers.
Source:Twitter
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