Disney+ is shaking things up with a tempting offer that’s catching the eyes of movie lovers and series bingers across the UK.
After a whirlwind of chatter about their recent price changes, they’re rolling out the red carpet for new and returning fans with a deal that can be quite tempting for some
From today, Disney+ is cutting the cost of its ad-supported subscription for a limited time, making it an irresistible pick for anyone looking to dive into Disney’s vast world of entertainment without breaking the bank.
However, as always, there are a few caveats – so let’s delve into the offer’s details.
Disney+ (see our review) launched in the UK in 2020, and can now be streamed on most streaming devices and Smart TVs. In the UK, Disney+ includes content from the worlds of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star.
It’s worth noting that Star, which is Disney’s general entertainment category for more mature audiences, doesn’t exist on the US version of Disney+.
This means UK subscribers are getting more content than their US counterparts (who currently get most of the more ‘mature’ content on the Hulu streaming service, which can be combined with Disney+ in the US).
Disney+’s Recent Pricing Changes
The context of the new limited-time discount offer is particularly significant, given the recent upheaval surrounding Disney+’s pricing strategy in the UK.
In November 2023, Disney+ announced a restructuring of its subscription plans, introducing a tiered pricing model that included a new ad-supported option.
This change was met with confusion and frustration from a portion of the subscriber base, many of whom were caught off guard by the price increases detailed in their renewal emails.
Since the update, Disney+ UK now offers three subscription tiers:
Standard With Ads: At £4.99 per month, this is the most budget-friendly option, offering Full HD 1080p video quality with advertisements.
Standard: Priced at £7.99 per month or £79.90 annually, this plan offers ad-free viewing with Full HD 1080p video quality and download capabilities.
Premium: The highest tier (which is identical to what used to be the single Disney+ tier in the UK), now at £10.99/month or £109.90 annually, provides up to 4K UHD & HDR video quality, four concurrent streams, and download capability, all without adverts.
The introduction of the Standard with Ads plan at £4.99 per month, alongside the more premium options, has been a point of contention.
Subscribers expressed dissatisfaction on social media, lamenting the significant price jump, especially for those wishing to maintain the ad-free experience and high-quality streaming they had previously enjoyed.
Limited-Time Offer: Disney+ For £1.99
Starting February 29 and running through March 14, 2024, Disney+ is rolling out an offer that allows new and returning customers to subscribe to its Standard with Ads plan for just £1.99 per month for the first three months.
This represents a £9 saving compared to the regular monthly price over the same period.
And since the Standard with Ads tier doesn’t have an annual option – it’s the best price for that tier, available at the moment (directly from Disney+, at least).
The offer is available to new and eligible returning subscribers who are 18 years and older (this means you can’t take this up if you currently have an active subscription – either annual or monthly).
After the promotional three months end, the subscription automatically renews at the current monthly retail price, which stands at £4.99, unless cancelled.
The offer’s timing also highlights some of the platform’s most notable content, including blockbuster films like The Marvels and the sci-fi action thriller The Creator from 20th Century Studios.
Additionally, subscribers can anticipate exclusive access to content such as the much-talked-about Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) and the award-winning Poor Things, along with the much-anticipated Wish from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Of course, Disney+’s latest promotional offer can be seen as a strategic attempt to mitigate some of the fallout from the recent pricing controversy.
By offering a discounted rate, Disney+ aims to attract new subscribers and entice previous customers back to the platform, letting them “test the waters” of the ad-supported tier at a lower cost.
Despite the pricing challenges, Disney+ continues to bank on its robust content lineup to attract and retain subscribers.
Disney+ is set to enrich its catalogue with a variety of critically acclaimed series, including the newly-launched drama Shōgun, which transports viewers to Japan in 1600, a pivotal moment at the dawn of a century-defining civil war.
Additionally, subscribers can look forward to the return of the award-winning hit series The Bear, and the Emmy-nominated docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, both of which have been renewed for third seasons.
Thank you for offering the old price back to me ,very wise of you.