Walt Disney Africa has announced that it will raise the prices of its Disney+ subscription video streaming service in South Africa starting next month. Customers were notified of the increase via SMS, and the company updated its South African FAQ page with more details.
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Starting from July 19, 2023, both new and existing customers on the monthly plan will be charged R139 instead of R119, representing a 16.8% hike. The annual plan will also see a price increase from R1,190 to R1,390, making it 14.4% more expensive.
While the discount on an annual plan compared to the monthly option will increase from R238 to R278, the percentage of savings remains the same. The new pricing will be billed on the customer’s current renewal date.
Disney stated that it will notify existing customers about the price change at least 30 days in advance through in-app updates or notifications. Customers who subscribed through third-party providers, such as Apple or Google, should refer to their respective providers for more information.
The price adjustment comes a little over a year after the launch of Disney+ in South Africa. The FAQ did not provide a specific justification for the increase, but the depreciation of the South African rand may have played a role.
At the time of Disney+’s launch in South Africa, the exchange rate was around R16 to the dollar, and the US price for a Disney+ subscription was $7.99 (approximately R128 excluding VAT). This meant that there was less than a R10 difference between the VAT-inclusive South African price and the US price before sales taxes.
Even with the price increase, South African subscribers will still pay over R60 less than US Disney+ subscribers. The South African price also includes access to the Disney+ Star content hub, which features content from 20th Century Studios, FX Networks, ABC Signature, and more.
