Do You Really Want to Pay for the Hulu + Live TV Disney Bundle?
By Movieguide® Contributor
Hulu + Live TV has a high price tag of $76.99 per month and will jump to $82.99 in October, but it’s got just about all of the broadcast and cable channels available.
So, is it worth it?
“None of those other services offer added benefits anywhere near the value of the Disney Bundle; Hulu + Live TV customers get the on-demand Hulu library, Disney+, and ESPN+ at no additional charge,” The Streamable reported Aug. 20. “However, in October, Disney will raise the price on nearly all its streaming offerings, including Hulu + Live TV. So the question becomes, is Hulu + Live TV still the best value in streaming?”
The $76.99 price is for the ad-supported version, while the ad-free version is $89.99, which will change to $95.99 in October.
“The new prices are still cheaper than if you cobbled together a bundle of the services individually, but there might be a better way to get what you want, especially considering that there is a new streaming bundle from Disney that will not be impacted by the price hikes,” The Streamable said.
Movieguide® previously reported:
“Hulu + Live TV also comes with Hulu’s deep library of exclusive TV shows and hit films, ad supported Disney+ and ESPN+ all in one plan, and unlimited DVR, which allows you to record and store your favorite content for up to none months,” Disney said. “Disney’s networks and stations are also available on other TV streaming services such as DIRECTTV Stream, YouTube TV, Sling, and Fubo.”
“Last month, Disney officially launched a partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery that allows consumers to bundle Disney+ and Hulu with WBD’s flagship streamer Max for $16.99 (ad-supported) or $29.99 (ad-free). This brings a whole new level of economic intrigue into the debate as you are trying to figure out the best route forward,” The Streamable said.
The $16.99 fee boasts a discount of up to 38% for its subscribers.
“Following the price hike, a Hulu + Live TV subscription will cost at least $82.99, but will come with the ad-supported on-demand Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. If you want to add Max onto that, you will have to do so ala carte, as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle savings do not apply to Hulu + Live TV subscribers. In total, that will be $92.98 every month,” The Streamable said.
There’s no bundle that provides ESPN+ and Max. And if you’re not a huge sports fan, it’d probably be better for your wallet if you didn’t subscribe to Hulu + Live TV. Instead, you could get YouTube TV at $72.99 per month, add on the Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle at $16.99 and bring your total to $89.98.
When you consider the ad-free options, there’s the Hulu + Live TV ad-free bundle, with Hulu on-demand, because ESPN+ always has commercials regardless, and Disney+ without ads. In October, that would cost $95.99 per month. Add on Max ad-free, and you’ve got a total of $112.98.
If you switch to YouTube TV and the Disney+, Hulu and Max bundle ad-free, that’s just $102.98. That’d save you $10 a month.
Besides Hulu + Live TV’s main value being ESPN+, CNET also noted it has limited live channel options when compared to YouTube TV.
“Ultimately, whether or not it is financially worth it to stick with Hulu + Live TV following the October price increase will come down to a matter of priorities,” The Streamable said. “If sports are not important to you, then you would likely be better off going with a different option for your live TV streaming needs, especially if you prefer on-demand content to be commercial-free. However, if you think that you will be tuning into the live sports action on ESPN+ — not to mention all of the analysis, documentaries, alternate broadcasts, and more — then it is probably worth it to stick with Hulu + Live TV, despite the difficult-to-swallow price hike.”
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