Disney may bundle ESPN and Hulu+ with Disney+, announces pricing and launch date

[Update: Disney has announced that annual subscriptions to Disney+ will be $69.99 with a $6.99 monthly option available. There still isn’t word on the all-in-one package, but it likely won’t be much more expensive. The service will launch on November 12.]

It all starts on November 12. For more info: https://t.co/RD04P7jdAT #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/M1QI7qkH5p

— Disney (@Disney) April 12, 2019

Disney is rolling out a bunch of info on its “Disney+” streaming service during an investor meeting today and one particular bit of news sounds like a sigh of relief. While not entirely official, the company says it is likely going to bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ for a single price. While it will obviously be more expensive than paying for a single service, this will cut down the number of charges you’ll be receiving monthly, not to mention give you a discount if you happen to want all three.

If you’re wondering why Hulu is in the mix, 21st Century Fox had partial ownership of the company before Disney completed its acquisition of the brand. Now, Disney owns around 60% of Hulu, meaning it can control where it is distributed and used. That ownership also allows Disney to bundle Hulu with other brands, which is mighty convenient for people still on the fence about Disney+. I know it will be a much easier sell to someone like my mother, who not only loves Disney but has a Hulu membership.

About the only thing left to figure out is how much Disney+ will cost. Hulu+ currently goes for $11.99 a month with another option providing live TV for $44.99. ESPN+ is a $4.99 a month or $49.99 annually. Just doing some quick math could mean that this all-in-one package might be $200 a year. With the amount of original content coming, though, that could just be worth it.