In August, Disney announced a number of price hikes to its various streaming services, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. As part of the announcement, the company also shared that Disney+ would be launching an ad-supported plan in December 2022. There has been a lot of confusion about what this all means for Hulu + Live TV, and whether or not a price hike is coming to Disney’s live TV streaming service.

What Price Hikes Did Disney Announce to Hulu + Live TV?

Starting on Dec. 8, 2022, existing Hulu + Live TV subscribers on the base plan — which includes The Disney Bundle — will see the price go from $69.99 per month to $74.99 per month. That’s because those customers will automatically keep the version of The Disney Bundle that includes Disney+ with No Ads.

Is There a Way to Pay Less For Hulu + Live TV?

That same day, all new customers of Hulu + Live TV will still be able to sign-up for the same $69.99 per month price that the service is today. The big difference is that while it still comes with The Disney Bundle, it will include the Disney+ Ad-Supported Tier, instead of the Disney+ No Ads Plan.

Existing customers that don’t want to pay $5 more per month, can downgrade to the Hulu + Live TV that includes The Disney Bundle (w/ Disney+ Ad-Supported Plan).

What About the Hulu + Live TV (No Ads) Plan?

Where you really can’t avoid a price hike is if you subscribe to Hulu + Live TV (No Ads). This plan includes Hulu + Live TV, as well as Hulu (No Ads), Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+. Starting in December, the price will increase from $75.99 monthly to $82.99 per month.

With the price increase, you are paying a hefty premium for no ads, even more than those who subscribe to just The Disney Bundle. Without Hulu + Live TV, The Disney Bundle (With Ads) vs. The Disney Bundle (No Ads) will have a $7 price difference ($12.99 vs. $19.99 per month), but as part of Hulu + Live TV – you will be paying $13 more to get rid of ads ($69.99 vs. $82.99).

It is still cheaper to keep your Hulu + Live TV subscription tied to The Disney Bundle though. Since The Disney Bundle with No Ads is $19.99 per month, it would cost $89.99 monthly if you subscribed to each service separately.

What Should You Do?

If you want to avoid any change to the price of Hulu + Live TV, your best option is to choose the new base plan that includes The Disney Bundle with Disney+ with Ads. If you want Disney+ (No Ads), you should pay the new $74.99 per month pricing, since it is only available to existing customers.

The big question you should ask yourself though is whether or not it is worth $8 to drop ads from Hulu altogether. With Hulu + Live TV, you can now record to your DVR and then fast-forward through ads. You could always choose to do that instead of paying the additional cost to drop ads from Hulu on-demand content.

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Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.

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Where it really separates itself is value. Your subscription doesn’t just cover live TV — it also includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library, plus bundled subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN Select content at no extra cost. That means you’re getting everything from next-day network TV episodes and Hulu Originals, to Marvel, Star Wars, and live sports content all in one place without juggling multiple bills.

For sports fans, Hulu + Live TV also includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select areas, a feature many competing services have dropped. That can be a big deal if you’re trying to follow local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.

The DVR experience is another strong point. Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content — a feature that used to cost extra but is now standard. It’s designed to feel closer to a traditional cable DVR, just without the box.

If you want to customize further, several add-ons are available. You can upgrade to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz, add an unlimited streams option for households with lots of viewers, or go ad-free on Hulu’s on-demand content (live TV will still include ads).

Overall, Hulu + Live TV is less about being the cheapest option and more about being the most comprehensive. It’s built for people who want live TV, on-demand shows, and bundled streaming services all under one roof — without having to piece everything together themselves.

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$89.99+ / month

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