by Thinus Ferreira
Disney has announced a shocking price hike of 16.8% for its Disney+ video streaming service in South Africa with the Mouse House increasing monthly subscription fees from R119 to R139 from 19 July 2023.
Walt Disney Africa's 16.8% fee increase for a monthly Disney+ subscription in South Africa is far above South Africa's inflation rate, with the Disney+ annual subscription fee which is also hiked far above the inflation price and increasing by 14.4% from R1 190 to R1 390.
Walt Disney Africa didn't issue a statement or public announcement but is mentioning the price hike coming into effect from 19 July on its FAQ page for Disney+ for South African subscribers where it notes that "Starting 19 July 2023, the price of Disney+ will be revised to R139 per month and R1 390 per year".
According to Disney, all existing annual Disney+ customers in South Africa who get their subscription directly from Disney+ will have been sent an SMS from 4 June and monthly customers will be sent an SMS from 13 June to advise them that the price for their subscription will change on 19 July.
All existing customers who get their subscription in app via Google and Apple will be notified on 19 July with Apple customers new price coming into effect 30 days after notification and Google customers new price coming into effect 60 days after notification.
All existing customers who get their subscription through MultiChoice's "Add to bill" functionality will be notified with an SMS 30 days before the new price comes into effect on 19 July.
Disney isn't giving Disney+ subscribers any reason for the drastic increase on the Disney+ FAQ page, or why it is so far above the inflation rate.
On Tuesday Walt Disney Africa was asked why Disney+ is doing a price increase and what factors are responsible for the Disney+ price hike being so much higher than South Africa's current inflation rate. The company didn't respond with a statement.
