UPDATE: Disney+ is facing backlash as the streaming service announces a significant price hike just **30 days** after the controversial suspension and reinstatement of ABC’s *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. Following a wave of criticism from Hollywood and free-speech advocates, the company is struggling to maintain subscriber trust while raising costs amid ongoing controversies.
The price increases will take effect on **November 2023**, impacting various subscription tiers. The *Disney+ and Hulu Bundle with ads* will jump from **$11** to **$13**. The *Disney+ Premium* subscription with no ads will rise from **$16** to **$19**, while *Disney+ with ads* will see a new price of **$12**, up from **$10**. Notably, *Hulu + Live TV* (with ads) will increase to **$90**, up from **$83**.
The timing of these announcements could not be worse for Disney, with many subscribers recently calling for boycotts over *Kimmel’s* suspension due to his comments regarding the assassination of conservative commentator **Charlie Kirk**. In light of this, the reinstatement of the show has done little to quell the discontent among users who are now faced with higher costs for their subscriptions.
To counteract the negative sentiment, Disney released a new trailer for the upcoming *Star Wars* film, *The Mandalorian and Grogu*, hoping to win back fans. However, the trailer’s lukewarm reception, marked by concerns over its lack of originality and reliance on nostalgic elements, has not alleviated the storm of criticism facing the company. The stark contrast between the excitement around *Star Wars: Starfighter’s* reveal of **Ryan Gosling** just hours before the Kimmel fallout highlights Disney’s struggle to capture audience enthusiasm effectively.
As the company grapples with this backlash, the question remains whether those who canceled their subscriptions in protest will be willing to pay more to return. The combination of rising prices and public discontent paints a challenging picture for Disney’s streaming future.
The latest developments indicate that Disney is at a crossroads. The combination of a price increase amidst a public relations crisis could lead to long-term subscriber losses. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, Disney will need to navigate these turbulent waters carefully to regain consumer confidence and loyalty.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
