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Small subscriber perks help the streaming services stand out.
A scene from the Disney+ original series Andor. Credit: Star Wars/YouTube
With streaming providers frequently raising prices, subscribers often feel like they’re paying more for the same service—or a lesser version, depending on what’s available to watch that month. In a unique move, Disney is introducing a small, potential financial benefit to Disney+ and Hulu subscribers in the form of some third-party discounts, freebies, trials, and contests.
As of today, Disney+ subscribers can log into Disney’s Disney+ Perks website with their streaming credentials to get access to a revolving selection of discounts and freebies. When I logged in today, I was met with options for several free trials, including a six-month one to DoorDash’s premium subscription offering, a three-month trial to Clear+, and a two-month trial to Duolingo’s premium subscription.
Disney+ subscribers can also get discounts, including to Adidas’ online marketplaces and “select” Disney Resorts Collection hotels (if you stay at least two nights, with most availability occurring between June 29 and July 31). There are also some free virtual rewards for Disney-owned games and the ability to enter sweepstakes, like for going to the premiere of the movie Freakier Friday.
Disney, which announced in November 2023 that it would take full control of Hulu from Comcast, said that Hulu-only subscribers will also get a perks program, starting on June 2. Those perks will differ from those of Disney+ and initially include chances to win tickets to Lollapalooza, San Diego Comic-Con, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, unspecified “perks” from Microsoft, LG, and others, and chances “to win items from and inspired by Hulu” originals, like The Handmaid’s Tale.
Disney+ previously offered a perks program in November 2023, but the program was only available until January 31, 2024. This updated US program doesn’t appear to have an end date.
Differentiating from other streaming services
None of these so-called perks are enough to make most people rush to sign up for a Disney+ or Hulu subscription. Accessing the perks also requires tying a MyDisney account to your Disney+ or Hulu account, which may disinterest you. Further, most of the perks are tied to providing more information to third parties, which will likely be used for marketing. However, Disney said it will add new perks regularly.
The program stands in contrast to other streaming services that are often getting increasingly expensive without bringing new benefits to customers.
Disney has previously tested subscriber loyalty with price hikes, including its most recent one that saw subscription fees to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ increase by up to 25 percent in October, as well as by cracking down on password sharing. When announcing the price hikes, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that the company wasn’t worried about customer blowback but focused on customer engagement. In addition to offering desirable content, the perks program is a unique way to keep subscribers interested in Disney’s streaming services.
Recently, Disney has also sought to keep customers engaged by combining Disney+ and Hulu into a unified app, which has been generally well-received.
On May 7, Disney said it had 126 million Disney+ and 54.7 million Hulu subscribers, compared to Netflix’s 301.6 million. Disney reported an operating income of $336 million for its direct-to-consumer business, which includes the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Indian Hotstar streaming services.
A scene from the Disney+ original series Andor. Credit: Star Wars/YouTube
With streaming providers frequently raising prices, subscribers often feel like they’re paying more for the same service—or a lesser version, depending on what’s available to watch that month. In a unique move, Disney is introducing a small, potential financial benefit to Disney+ and Hulu subscribers in the form of some third-party discounts, freebies, trials, and contests.
As of today, Disney+ subscribers can log into Disney’s Disney+ Perks website with their streaming credentials to get access to a revolving selection of discounts and freebies. When I logged in today, I was met with options for several free trials, including a six-month one to DoorDash’s premium subscription offering, a three-month trial to Clear+, and a two-month trial to Duolingo’s premium subscription.
Disney+ subscribers can also get discounts, including to Adidas’ online marketplaces and “select” Disney Resorts Collection hotels (if you stay at least two nights, with most availability occurring between June 29 and July 31). There are also some free virtual rewards for Disney-owned games and the ability to enter sweepstakes, like for going to the premiere of the movie Freakier Friday.
Disney, which announced in November 2023 that it would take full control of Hulu from Comcast, said that Hulu-only subscribers will also get a perks program, starting on June 2. Those perks will differ from those of Disney+ and initially include chances to win tickets to Lollapalooza, San Diego Comic-Con, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, unspecified “perks” from Microsoft, LG, and others, and chances “to win items from and inspired by Hulu” originals, like The Handmaid’s Tale.
Disney+ previously offered a perks program in November 2023, but the program was only available until January 31, 2024. This updated US program doesn’t appear to have an end date.
Differentiating from other streaming services
None of these so-called perks are enough to make most people rush to sign up for a Disney+ or Hulu subscription. Accessing the perks also requires tying a MyDisney account to your Disney+ or Hulu account, which may disinterest you. Further, most of the perks are tied to providing more information to third parties, which will likely be used for marketing. However, Disney said it will add new perks regularly.
The program stands in contrast to other streaming services that are often getting increasingly expensive without bringing new benefits to customers.
Disney has previously tested subscriber loyalty with price hikes, including its most recent one that saw subscription fees to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ increase by up to 25 percent in October, as well as by cracking down on password sharing. When announcing the price hikes, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that the company wasn’t worried about customer blowback but focused on customer engagement. In addition to offering desirable content, the perks program is a unique way to keep subscribers interested in Disney’s streaming services.
Recently, Disney has also sought to keep customers engaged by combining Disney+ and Hulu into a unified app, which has been generally well-received.
On May 7, Disney said it had 126 million Disney+ and 54.7 million Hulu subscribers, compared to Netflix’s 301.6 million. Disney reported an operating income of $336 million for its direct-to-consumer business, which includes the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Indian Hotstar streaming services.
