Disney has delivered a hefty blow to new subscribers with another price hike for its Disney+ streaming service. The entertainment giant has increased the cost of all its plans by up to £24, effective from Tuesday, 30 September.
This move mirrors a similar one made by Netflix earlier this year. Monthly subscriptions have seen a £1 rise for both Standard and Standard with Ads (£9.99 and £5.99 respectively), while the Premium Plan has experienced a £2 increase, now standing at £14.99 per month.
Annual passes haven’t escaped the hike either, with the Standard plan rocketing by £10 to £99.90 a year. Meanwhile, the Premium plan has seen a £20 increase, now setting back subscribers £149.90 annually.
It remains unclear whether these changes will affect existing subscribers. However, according to Disney’s terms and conditions, users should be given 30 days’ notice of any price alterations, so it’s worth checking if you’ve received any such notification.
If not, you can consider yourself unaffected – at least until your next payment date. The Mirror has reached out to Disney for clarification and is awaiting a response.
Over the past month, Disney+ has significantly bolstered its catalogue with several new additions. Tempest, a Korean spy thriller, debuted on the service in early September, alongside other titles like Swiped, Sneaker Wars Adidas vs Puma, with Murdaugh Death in the Family set to land in October.
All’s Fair is set to hit the streaming platform in November, followed by the second series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on December 10.
Wondering if you need a TV Licence to watch Disney+?
The answer is no. You don’t require a TV licence to enjoy Disney+ in the UK, as long as you’re only viewing on-demand programmes. A TV Licence is typically required for households or businesses that watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
A colour licence usually sets you back £174.50 annually, while a black-and-white licence fee stands at £58.50 per year. However, certain people may qualify for a free or discounted licence under specific circumstances.
Government guidelines suggest that it’s primarily those over 75 years old who receive Pension Credit who are eligible for a free TV Licence. The same applies if you live with a partner who receives Pension Credit, as the licence covers everyone at a particular address.
Moreover, anyone who is blind or in residential care can apply for a discounted TV Licence. To be eligible for the residential care home discount, a person must be either retired and over 60 or disabled.
For those who meet the criteria, the TV Licence cost plummets to a mere £7.50. Housing managers at residential care facilities can also submit applications on behalf of residents.
Furthermore, anyone who is registered blind or shares a home with someone who is can secure a 50% discount on their TV Licence. This reduces the price of a colour licence to £87.25.
Government guidance explains: “The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number when you apply.”
People over 75 and receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free licence online or by phone. The Government’s official numbers for this are 0300 790 6071 (telephone) and 0300 709 6050 (minicom). Others who are registered blind can apply for a licence on the TV Licensing website.
For more information, head to GOV.UK or the official TV Licensing website.