Just as Jimmy Kimmel stepped back onto the ABC stage after a week-long suspension, Disney announced it’s raising the price on its major streaming platforms.
Starting October 21st, subscribers to Disney+ and Hulu will see higher monthly fees across most plans. The ad-supported versions of both platforms are jumping to $11.99 per month. For those who prefer no ads, Disney+ Premium will now cost $18.99 a month, while Hulu’s ad-free plan is expected to increase as well.
Bundle packages aren’t safe either. The popular Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN combo is increasing by $3. Even the live TV bundles will rise up to $88.99 and beyond, depending on the plan.
The timing couldn’t be more noticeable. Kimmel’s return follows a temporary suspension after remarks he made on-air about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. His absence sparked #CancelDisneyPlus protests online, with some subscribers and a few celebrities announcing they were done with the service.
When he returned, Kimmel appeared unfazed, even poking fun at the backlash during his monologue. “Disney has asked me to read the following statement,” he said sarcastically, before launching into a tongue-in-cheek plug for reactivating Disney+ accounts.
Whether coincidence or calculated, Disney’s price hike and Kimmel’s reappearance are sparking fresh conversations about value, content, and corporate timing — all while your monthly bill creeps higher.
