Streaming platform Disney+ has increased the price of its Premium monthly subscription in South Africa, reflecting a broader trend of rising costs across the country’s digital entertainment sector.
The Premium plan now costs approximately $9.70 per month, up from about $8.60, representing a 12.6 percent increase. The new pricing took effect for new subscribers on April 30, 2026, while existing users who subscribed directly through the platform will begin paying the higher rate from their first renewal on or after June 4, 2026.
Despite the increase, the Disney+ Mobile plan remains unchanged at roughly $2.65 per month, continuing to offer a lower-cost option for mobile-only users.
The annual premium subscription is priced at about $86 per year, offering a saving of approximately $30 compared to paying the new monthly rate over 12 months.
This latest adjustment follows a previous hike in September 2024, when the Premium monthly plan rose from about $7.50 to $8.60, a 14.4 per cent increase. With the new pricing, the plan is now roughly $2.20 higher than it was less than two years ago.
The move comes as South African consumers grapple with multiple price increases across major streaming platforms. Rival service Netflix raised its standard plan to around $9.70 per month and its premium plan to approximately $12.40 per month in mid-2025. Its mobile plan also saw its first-ever increase, climbing to about $3.20 per month.
Meanwhile, the streaming landscape has also shifted structurally. MultiChoice Group recently shut down its Showmax service after years of financial losses, reducing consumer choice in the market.
To retain customers, MultiChoice introduced a promotional offer for displaced Showmax users, granting access to DStv Stream Compact at approximately $5.40 per month for 12 months, significantly below its standard price of about $16.20 per month.
The latest price adjustment by Disney+ highlights the increasing cost pressures within the streaming industry, where platforms are balancing content investment, competition, and profitability, often passing the burden onto subscribers.
