Disney has finally announced something that has been speculated for months — a streaming bundle that is going to take aim directly at Netflix. Before the recent shareholders’ conference call that happened, where the announcement took place, we already knew that Disney was going to launch its streaming service, Disney+, in November at a very competitive price, undercutting the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and other competitors. But now, the Mouse House is hoping that its upcoming bundle package will be the option that really puts the pressure on its other streaming brethren.
According to Deadline, Disney announced plans to combine Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ into one package deal that will cost consumers only $12.99 per month. With Netflix recently upping its fees, this $13/month fee puts the upcoming bundle on par with its biggest competitor, but arguably offers a lot more bang for that streaming buck.
Hulu is a known quantity, being one of the biggest streaming services out there, and the go-to place for tons of episodes of TV series, including some of its award-winning originals. However, it’s important to know that the version of Hulu that’s included in the new bundle is the basic, ad-supported tier that doesn’t include Live TV.
However, the really interesting aspect of the new bundle is ESPN+. Unlike most of the other streaming services out there, Disney is now going to offer a package that includes an option for those who want to watch live sporting events, giving cable-cutters something to be excited about. Live sports is still big business, and having ESPN is just an added bonus.
That leaves the third offering in the package, Disney+. Launching on November 12, the streaming service is going to be your one-stop-shop for all things Disney (and its various subsidiaries, including Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Fox). The streaming announcement also included the stat that Disney+ will launch with over 300 movies (with 400 being available by the end of 2020) and over 7,500 episodes of Disney-owned content.
So, with HBO Max being the next closest thing to this bundle, but coming in at a roughly $16 to $17 price tag per month, the $13/month plan that Disney is offering sounds like one of the better streaming values out there. The real question is how many people will be willing to add another monthly subscription bill. And if they do, will they decide they don’t need Netflix anymore and just enjoy the combined efforts of ESPN, Hulu, and Disney? The Streaming Wars sure are heating up!
