In a move that will affect longtime subscribers, The Walt Disney Company is increasing the monthly cost of its legacy Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select bundle to $27.99 beginning on or after September 17, 2026. The price hike specifically targets the legacy plan that offers Disney+ without advertisements, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Select (formerly known as ESPN+) with ads. This bundle is no longer available for new sign-ups and is reserved exclusively for existing customers who maintain continuous service without canceling or switching plans.
According to official Disney+ help documentation updated earlier this year, subscribers who enrolled in a bundle including ESPN Select prior to August 20, 2026, will see the adjusted rate applied in their next billing cycle on or after the September 17 date. The previous price for this legacy offering stood at $24.99 per month, representing a $3 increase. Disney has emphasized that only certain ESPN Select-inclusive bundles are impacted by this particular adjustment, while other modern Duo and Trio plans remain at their listed rates for new customers.
The legacy Disney Bundle has long been a popular option for households seeking a mix of family-friendly content from Disney+, original series and library titles from Hulu, and live sports, exclusive events, and on-demand programming from ESPN Select. Disney+ ad-free access remains a key draw for viewers who prefer uninterrupted viewing of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic titles. Hulu with ads continues to deliver a wide array of current TV shows, movies, and exclusives, while ESPN Select provides access to sports coverage that complements broader ESPN offerings available through higher-tier Unlimited plans.
This increase arrives amid ongoing industry-wide pressure on streaming prices as companies invest heavily in original programming, sports rights, and technology. Disney has repeatedly pointed to rising content costs and the need to fund new productions as justification for periodic rate adjustments. In related announcements tied to partner platforms such as Verizon, the company and its affiliates have noted that partners periodically adjust rates when Disney invests in new content and modifies service pricing. The legacy plan’s $27.99 rate now sits closer to some of the newer premium configurations, though it retains its unique mix of ad-free Disney+ paired with ad-supported Hulu and ESPN Select.
Existing subscribers will continue to enjoy the same access and features they currently receive, provided they do not cancel or change their plan. Disney has made clear that the legacy bundle cannot be newly purchased or switched into; once a customer leaves, they must choose from the currently offered options. Those options include the standard Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select Bundle at $21.99 (with ads on all services) or the Premium version at $32.99 (ad-free on Disney+ and Hulu), among others that incorporate ESPN Unlimited for broader live sports network access.
Consumer advocates and cord-cutters have watched the evolution of the Disney Bundle closely. Originally launched years ago at significantly lower price points, the package has climbed steadily as Disney consolidated ownership of Hulu and refined its streaming strategy. The company has been encouraging migration toward Disney+-centric interfaces, with Hulu content increasingly integrated into the Disney+ app experience. Some observers note that the legacy pricing structure has been gradually phased out in favor of newer plans that better align with Disney’s long-term goal of a more unified platform.
For households evaluating their options, the $3 monthly increase equates to an additional $36 per year. Many may weigh whether the continued value of ad-free Disney+ justifies remaining on the plan versus switching to a fully ad-supported alternative or exploring competing bundles that pair other services. Sports fans reliant on ESPN Select for specific events or exclusive content may find the hike particularly relevant as the fall sports season intensifies.
Disney has not indicated further immediate changes to the legacy tier beyond this adjustment, though the broader streaming market remains dynamic. Viewers are advised to review their account settings and upcoming billing statements carefully. Those wishing to explore alternatives can visit the Disney+ or Hulu help centers for current plan comparisons and eligibility details. As content libraries expand and live sports rights evolve, price adjustments like this one reflect the ongoing economics of delivering premium entertainment at scale to millions of subscribers across the United States.
The September 17 effective date gives current legacy customers a short window to assess their budgets and preferences before the new rate takes hold. Whether this hike prompts significant churn or is absorbed as part of the cost of comprehensive streaming access will be closely monitored by industry analysts in the coming months. For now, the message from Disney is clear: the popular legacy combination of ad-free Disney+, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Select will cost $27.99 a month starting mid-September 2026 for those who keep their existing plans active.
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