2024-07-25 13:37:00
www.zdnet.com
In a move that seems like a tilt back toward basic cable that everyone cut the cord on years ago, three major streaming services are joining forces and offering a combined bundle.
Starting today, a new bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and Max is on sale. The trio costs $16.99 per month with ads, or $29.99 per month without ads.
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The agreement brings together content from dozens of properties, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Simpsons, HBO, Warner Bros. Studios, Discovery Channel, DC Comics, Cartoon Network, and Food Network.
Individually, Disney+ is $7.99 per month, Hulu is $7.99 per month and Max is $9.99 per month, at least for the ad-supported plans. For the ad-free versions, Disney+ is $13.99 per month, Hulu is $17.99 per month, and Max is $16.99 per month. Considering the combined prices of $25.97/month with ads and $48.97 without ads, the new bundle is 35% off and 39% off, respectively.
If you subscribe to the bundle, you’ll still access each service through its respective app.
Disney already offers a Disney+ and Hulu bundle for $9.99 per month with ads and $19.99 per month without. If you’re moving from that bundle to the trio, you’re effectively paying $7 per month extra for Max.
Even though the average US customer pays more than $77 per month for streaming subscriptions, most services are fighting to retain subscribers in a crowded market as viewers try to save money. If customers sign up for multiple services under a reduced rate, they’re more likely to stay on, either because of the price or because there’s certain content they don’t want to miss.
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Just last week in its quarterly letter to shareholders, Netflix rejected the possibility it would partner with any rivals, instead leaving others to bundle its service, like Comcast does with its offering of Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+.
You can sign up for the new bundle on any of the three service websites. If you’re a current customer of any, you can switch from your existing subscription to the bundle.