Disney and Verizon to Increase Streaming Bundle Prices Starting September 2026
New York, Saturday, 22 August 2026.
Starting September 17, 2026, Disney and Verizon will increase several streaming bundle prices by up to $3 monthly, reflecting an ongoing industry shift toward maximizing subscriber revenue.
Verizon Perk Adjustments
Verizon customers utilizing the carrier’s perk add-ons will see changes across multiple tiers effective September 17, 2026 [1]. The Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus bundle with ads increases from $10 to $12 per month [1]. The Premium Upgrade Ad-Free option rises from $20 to $23 per month [1]. Additionally, the For Movie Lovers on Simplicity tier moves from $23 to $25 per month [1]. These adjustments align with Verizon’s statement that partner rate changes necessitate periodic perk rate updates [5].
Legacy Bundle Eligibility and Costs
The Walt Disney Company specifies that the legacy bundle price hike applies to existing subscribers who enrolled prior to August 20, 2026 [3]. This specific plan includes ad-free Disney+, ad-supported Hulu, and ad-supported ESPN Select [2]. Customers who cancel or switch plans cannot return to this discontinued bundle structure [3]. For affected households, the $3 monthly increase translates to an additional annual cost calculated as 36 [2]. The $15 Legacy Disney Bundle perk offered by Verizon remains exempt from these changes [1].
Industry Context and Timeline
This marks the third price adjustment for Disney streaming services in less than two years, following hikes in December 2022 and August 2023 [4]. The revenue optimization strategy mirrors recent moves by competitors such as NBCUniversal, which raised Peacock subscription plans by $1.00 or more [1]. Disney attributes the pricing updates to rising costs in original programming, sports rights, and technology infrastructure [2]. The new rates are scheduled to take effect for billing cycles on or after September 17, 2026 [2]. Subscribers are advised to review their billing statements following this date to confirm updated charges [5].