By Elena Vasquez, Lead Editor
Valiant News Network | September 24, 2025
In a move that exemplifies the unchecked avarice of Big Tech and legacy media conglomerates, The Walt Disney Company announced yet another round of price increases for its streaming services on September 23, 2025—effective October 21—pushing monthly costs up by $2 to $3 across nearly all plans. This marks the fourth consecutive year of hikes for Disney+ since its 2019 launch, transforming what was once an affordable family entertainment hub into a luxury commodity that strains working-class budgets. For conservatives who champion fiscal responsibility and free-market principles without the crutch of monopolistic excess, Disney’s relentless gouging isn’t innovation—it’s a betrayal of the American consumer, prioritizing shareholder windfalls over the families who built the Mouse House empire.
The increases affect Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+), and their bundled packages, with the ad-supported Disney+ tier jumping from $9.99 to $11.99—a 20% surge—and the ad-free Premium plan rising from $15.99 to $18.99. Hulu’s ad-supported plan follows suit, climbing to $11.99 from $9.99, while ESPN Select edges up to $12.99 from $11.99. Bundles fare no better: The Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Select Premium (ad-free on Disney+ and Hulu) will cost $29.99, up $3 from $26.99, and the Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max ad-free trio balloons to $32.99 from $29.99. Even the introductory Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited bundle with ads holds at $29.99 for the first year, but post-intro rates will reflect the broader escalation.
Disney’s rationale? Bolstering profitability amid a subscriber base of 183 million globally for Disney+ and Hulu combined, as reported in its June 2025 earnings. Yet, this comes at an inopportune moment: mere days after backlash over ABC’s suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel—sparking boycott calls from figures like Howard Stern—the price news has ignited fresh outrage, with consumers decrying the timing as tone-deaf. As streaming penetration hits 46% of American households per Nielsen data, these hikes exacerbate the cord-cutting crunch, where families now shell out $50–$100 monthly across multiple platforms just to access once-free broadcast content.
A Pattern of Profiteering: Disney’s Relentless Escalation
Disney isn’t alone in this race to the top—Netflix, Apple TV+, and Peacock have all hiked prices in 2025—but its frequency stands out. Since Disney+’s debut at $6.99 ad-free, the service has ballooned 172% in cost, outpacing inflation by a factor of four. Bundles, marketed as “value” propositions, now rival cable bills Disney once disrupted: the full Disney+/Hulu/ESPN package approaches $30 monthly, excluding HBO Max add-ons.
From a conservative vantage, this isn’t savvy business—it’s monopolistic overreach. Disney, with its stranglehold on Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, leverages IP fortresses to extract rents, cracking down on password sharing while dangling exclusive content like the forthcoming ESPN app integration. CEO Bob Iger’s August earnings call hinted at these “modest” subscriber gains from hikes, but at what cost? Alienated heartland viewers, already wary of Disney’s “woke” pivots—from politicized content to DEI mandates—now face barriers to entry that echo the very corporate elitism conservatives decry.
The Kimmel controversy amplifies the irony: Suspended for alleged free-speech violations, his return coincides with price notifications that feel like salt in the wound. Social media buzzes with cancellations, as users pivot to free alternatives or competitors like Paramount+—ironically, a Paramount Skydance property. This isn’t sustainable growth; it’s a short-sighted squeeze on the middle class, where a family of four might forgo Disney+ to cover groceries amid 3% inflation.
The Broader Implications: When Entertainment Becomes a Luxury Tax
These hikes compound a troubling trend: Streaming’s shift from disruptor to duplicate of cable’s flaws. With 128 million Disney+ subscribers, the platform added 1.8 million in Q3 2025 alone, yet executives chase profitability through price, not efficiency. Conservatives see echoes of regulatory capture—Disney’s lobbying muscle shields it from antitrust scrutiny, allowing bundling tactics that lock in users while stifling competition.
Moreover, the content drought looms: Post-“woke” backlash, viewership for family fare has dipped, forcing reliance on franchises that demand ever-higher production budgets. As one analyst notes, these increases risk “subscriber fatigue,” where households cap spending at $75 monthly across services. For VNN readers—prioritizing thrift and self-reliance—this is a clarion call: Boycott the excess, support creators who respect value, and demand markets that reward innovation over inflation.
A Path Forward: Consumer Power Over Corporate Hubris
Disney could pivot: Enhance ad-free tiers with true exclusivity, crack down on piracy humanely, or unbundle to foster choice. Instead, it doubles down, betting on inertia. Conservatives urge restraint—vote with your wallet, as President Trump might say, and reclaim entertainment from the elites.
At Valiant News Network, we’re committed to Valiant, Verified, and Vanguard reporting—delivering the facts with respect for our institutions and an eye toward liberty’s defense. As streaming costs climb, we’ll hold conglomerates accountable, empowering you to navigate this digital overcharge.
Signed,
Elena Vasquez
Lead Editor, Valiant News Network
