‘I’m cancelling’ complain customers as major streaming service price hike to hit bank accounts within weeks

DISNEY+ users have been left fuming after learning of the subscription providers’ recent price increases. 

The streaming giant made changes to its subscription plans late last year which saw premium subscriptions increase from £7.99 a month to £10.99 a month.

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At the same time, Disney introduced a streaming service tier system which would allow users to choose from a selection of new rates.

The new system is as follows:

• Disney+ standard (with Ads) – £4.99 a month
• Disney+ standard (without Ads) – £7.99 a month (or £79.90 annually)
• Disney+ premium – £10.99 a month (or £109.90 annually)

The two standard tiers will allow customers to stream content with a resolution of up to 1080p.

Most existing customers will have automatically moved to the Disney+ premium from November 1 last year.

However many customers have their subscriptions renewed annually in March which is the same month the service first launched.

This means those early loyal customers who have been notified their bill will increase in just a few weeks and people are not impressed.

Annual subscribers have taken to Facebook to share their frustration at the news. 

One user said: “I’m cancelling mine, £109 what the f***?”

Another said: “No thanks!”

“Time to cancel,” said a third user. 

A fourth user declared: “Already cancelled. Getting silly now.”

“Silly money. I’ll be cancelling when up for renewal,” said someone else. 

The Sun has reached out to Disney for comment. 

How much have Disney+ subscription prices increased?

To put it into perspective the original monthly subscription cost just £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year when the streaming service first launched.

Back in 2020 that would give you access to all TV shows and movies on the streaming service without adverts. 

But in February 2021 the price rose again to £7.99 per month, or £79.90 per year with the addition of STAR shows and movies on Disney+ programming. 

But it is the latest increase announced in November last year which will see some annual bills reach more than £100 a year. 

How to keep your Disney+ bill down

If you would still like to keep your Disney+ subscription there are a few options. 

Choosing an annual subscription as opposed to a monthly one will reduce your bill regardless of which subscription tier you choose. 

For example, if you pick the Disney+ standard annual subscription you will pay £79.90 for the whole year as opposed to £95.88 split across 12 months. 

Similarly, the new premium Disney+ subscription will cost £131.88 a year if paid monthly but the annual subscription is £20 cheaper at £109.90.

Once you’ve paid for an annual subscription, you have guaranteed access for a whole year even if subscription prices go up. 

Choosing a cheaper subscription tier can help keep costs down. 

If you are prepared to sit through ads you can choose the cheapest Disney+ subscription which is just £4.99 a month.

Always check what you’re actually using and cancel the services you don’t make the most of.

You could always rotate them – if you do pay monthly, you’re not usually locked in.

Can I get Disney+ cheaper or for free?

Tesco Clubcard holders can exchange their points for a subscription to Disney+.

You can double the value of your points when you spend them with certain retailers, meaning you could swap £12 of Clubcard points for a three-month subscription.

Mobile provider O2 has also offered a subscription of up to six months for Disney+ to new customers or those upgrading their plan.

Likewise, if you switch to any Club Lloyds bank account you can choose one of five perks on your account one of which is a 12-month subscription service to Disney+.

The accounts do have a monthly fee that can be waivered if you meet the right requirements so it’s worth checking if the account is right for you.

The bank currently has a £175 switching cash bonus if you switch from any other UK bank account to a Club Lloyds account before March 28.

It’s worth regularly checking if you have any of your providers such as phone, energy or bank providers have any other deals on any of the subscription services you use.

How to cut streaming bills with top FREE TV

Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime don’t come cheap – and year on year subscription costs seem to go up.

Fortunately, there are loads of free streaming TV alternatives that not everyone knows about.

And we’re not just talking about BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Here are some free alternatives worth trying:

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk