Hulu and Disney+ No Longer Support Signups and Payment Using App Store

[drock82]

Black Friday is coming up, Hulu for $1.99 a month for a year, add Disney + for $2. 😌

 

[JosephAW]

I got an email recently saying the Disney ADD ON wasn't available anymore for Hulu but they changed me to the "Duo" sub which has both for basically the same as I was paying (slightly cheaper I think). I have always subbed directly from the streamers so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Was able to get a digital Monday deal last year, Disney and Hulu for $2.99 / mo.
Hopefully they’ll be new deals soon.

 

[gsurf123]

If it is not in the App Store and cannot be paid for it there I will not be buying.

 

[hagar]

What does the last paragraph mean? That Disney+ won’t be integrated in the TV app as a Channel going forward?

I’m probably a minority but I like my content be in one hub. It’s one of the reasons I never got Netflix.

 

[scorpio vega]

Apple’s user base? So anybody with an internet connection is Apple’s user base? Why should Apple (or Google or anyone else) get 30% of content that is available on multiple platforms?

Because they want to be visible in apple App Store.

When did I say anyone with an internet connection was apples userbase? If you’re going to try and argue an argument. Make sure it’s one I actually made.

 

[scorpio vega]

Apple brought this upon themselves by charging such high fees for their payments service.

Charge what you’re worth. Or believe you are.

 

[brunerd]

Curious. When I have cancelled Hulu in the past and then picked it up again, my watch history has remained. I expect it to be there if I resubscribe for $3/mo in December, too. But I first signed up with username/password years ago. Did subscribing through Apple mean you didn't have to sign in with those at all? How did you access your account on non-Apple devices?

Well @artifex that would be because I have two Apple IDs Apple Accounts: Ye olde iTunes account which all my purchases are under and my .Mac/iCloud account which has everything else... so when I cancelled Hulu (which used my iTunes/App Store account) and added it to Disney as a bundle that's associated with my iCloud account not my iTunes. So my Disney account knows nothing about my Hulu-ing. It was fine really. First world problem. But yeah... wouldn't it be nice if we somehow had the technology to merge iTunes and iCloud accounts, alas it will take decades or perhaps centuries more before we can tackle big problems like that! Maybe not in my lifetime... 🥲

 

[thebart]

Good. More should do this instead of ripping off users who don't know better

 

[JouniS]

What do the other vendors charge? Is 30% industry standard or is it simply because Apple’s the largest?

30% is the industry standard when the platform is providing the service, and the vendor is simply supplying the content. But in this case, Hulu and Disney have their own streaming services, and Apple is little more than a third-party payment platform. PayPal typically charges 3-5% for similar services.

 

[macfacts]

Because they want to be visible in apple App Store.

When did I say anyone with an internet connection was apples userbase? If you’re going to try and argue an argument. Make sure it’s one I actually made.

All streaming apps can be used with a web browser, all of them advertise themselves or by word of mouth. Apple didn't invent the web browser or the internet. Taking 15 or 30% for streaming apps is just rent seeking.

 

[contacos]

I am surprised they don’t charge extra for „Star“, which is basically Hulu internationally yet. It’s integrated into your D+ subscription unlike Hulu

 

[orbital~debris]

Disney+ and Hulu will no longer be eligible for Apple's Video Partner Program going forward, and subscribers may notice a change in tvOS and the Apple TV app. The Video Partner Program provides integration with Apple technologies like Siri, AirPlay, Universal Search, zero sign-on, and more for streaming video apps that support in-app purchase.

Way to bury the lede, MR!

This final paragraph seems to have the most consequential information about the situation…

Are there any examples of streamers whose content/apps work with the Apple technologies mentioned in the post without being part of the Video Partner Program? That is, through a bespoke arrangement?

I feel like, while very annoying, Netflix’ operation outside of the Video Partner Program was generally treated as the exception - they felt like the outlier and you could talk about how everything worked overall while noting “except Netlifx content”. If Disney+ joins them in not having their content nicely integrated across tvOS, iOS, iPadOS & macOS, does this become the start of a breakdown of Apple’s advantage in the TV space?

 

[scorpio vega]

All streaming apps can be used with a web browser, all of them advertise themselves or by word of mouth. Apple didn't invent the web browser or the internet. Taking 15 or 30% for streaming apps is just rent seeking.

Most ppl with smartphones don’t the browser they use the app in question so that point is null and void.

People who use Hulu and other streaming apps are usually on DESKTOP.

I use Facebook app on my phone and iPad. I use Facebook site when I’m using my Mac or surface.

Especially if there is no app for the platform they will use the browser.

So yes Hulu and others want to not pay apple yet want to be visible in their stores still.

 

[Belifant]

Disney was going to raise plan prices even more but didn't because of the Apple commission savings. For example, Disney+ Basic was going to be increased to $11.99 but they only increased it to $9.99 instead. Disney+ Premium was going to be increased to $18.99 but they only increased it to $15.99 instead.

And yes, I am made this up to make a point that no one can necessarily say for sure how commission or other savings will or won’t impact pricing.

Not only made up, but also absolutely not how it works. Do you really think they would not raise the prices to the higher number if they could? They absolutely would, regardless of how much they would pay Apple. $9.99 and $15.99 is exactly the number their market research came up with as the sweet spot: The sweet spot of increased renevue vs upsetting/canceling customers.

Not paying Apple 30% is just the added bonus for them on top of it.

I see this time and time again in this forum. Capitalism is NOT selling something as cheap as possible. Capitalism is selling as expensive as they can so people still buy. No corporation is willingly leaving money on the table with selling cheaper than they could.

 

[svish]

Good to know about the changes. Not a good move for users. Always easier to sign up via in app purchases. This made it easier to cancel the subscriptions too.

 

[michaelscarn]

I've used Hulu on/off since it was totally free.

The other day, I wanted to watch a specific show only streaming on Hulu. Their new prices made my decision very easy.

I hoped $20 would be the ceiling for streaming services, but Netflix has proven that wrong. $23 for the plan that so generously includes 4K streaming in 2024.

 

[User 6502]

But want access to apples user base lol

I now have to go to individual sites to cancel subscriptions vs a central location on my iPhone .

God forbid I forget my Hulu or Disney password. It’s so unnecessary for consumers

I’ll tell you a secret: iPhone users do not belong to Apple. Apple has no rights on them and definitely does not deserve a share of their money when they use their iPhone to access a service. Sure they can ask for some money if they choose to do so by using the App Store, but companies cannot be forced to sell only (or at all) on the AppStore, and thankfully that’s not the case any longer. Apple should just accept this fact, cope, and start doing again what it used to be good at: developing good hardware and earning money through its sale. The last time it developed something truly new was the Vision Pro and it was a huge flop. iPhones, Apple Watches and the existing product lines have been stagnant for years with only minor and incremental updates. This is not good and one can hardly blame Disney and Netflix if Apple’s profits will not be as good as they could be.

 

[User 6502]

What’s funny to me is the same people complaining about Apple’s 30% cut, which is industry standard, will also be complaining if these apps were removed from the App Store and you have to watch it in a browser if that’s even supported. If Apple isn’t getting a cut, then they aren’t obligated to keep apps that bring in a large sum of money from Apple’s customers on their App Store. It’s just complaining for the sake of complaining about Apple. Why even be here if that’s all you do? You don’t have to defend or support certain things, but I see some of the same people on every post with nothing good to say. Google, Microsoft and Samsung all have similar policies about what they take in commission but we don’t hear much about that.

Thankfully in the EU these apps will just be downloaded on an alternative store or even on the service provider website, so Apple can do what it wants about hosting them on the App Store, but it won’t mean users won’t have access to an app and will be forced to use the website to watch. Of course it is only a matter of time before alternative app stores will be available worldwide; the eu has the huge merit of setting a precedent, but it will be not the only place where the new status quo will apply.

 

[macfacts]

Most ppl with smartphones don’t the browser they use the app in question so that point is null and void.

People who use Hulu and other streaming apps are usually on DESKTOP.

I use Facebook app on my phone and iPad. I use Facebook site when I’m using my Mac or surface.

Especially if there is no app for the platform they will use the browser.

So yes Hulu and others want to not pay apple yet want to be visible in their stores still.

Now I understand why vision pro users can't use safari to use YouTube, cause apple has sabotaged their own web browser to force companies to make apps, so apple can syphon 30%.

 

[scorpio vega]

I’ll tell you a secret: iPhone users do not belong to Apple. Apple has no rights on them and definitely does not deserve a share of their money when they use their iPhone to access a service. Sure they can ask for some money if they choose to do so by using the App Store, but companies cannot be forced to sell only (or at all) on the AppStore, and thankfully that’s not the case any longer. Apple should just accept this fact, cope, and start doing again what it used to be good at: developing good hardware and earning money through its sale. The last time it developed something truly new was the Vision Pro and it was a huge flop. iPhones, Apple Watches and the existing product lines have been stagnant for years with only minor and incremental updates. This is not good and one can hardly blame Disney and Netflix if Apple’s profits will not be as good as they could be.

Tl dr.

iPhone users don’t belong to apple but they did curate the userbase they have and the developers want their attention and the App Store is largely where that attention comes from. Again stop arguing things I never said.

End of conversation. Because I don’t care.

 

[mrochester]

Thankfully in the EU these apps will just be downloaded on an alternative store or even on the service provider website, so Apple can do what it wants about hosting them on the App Store, but it won’t mean users won’t have access to an app and will be forced to use the website to watch. Of course it is only a matter of time before alternative app stores will be available worldwide; the eu has the huge merit of setting a precedent, but it will be not the only place where the new status quo will apply.

Alternative app stores will open and then close. Consumers don’t want them. That’s the issue that regulators don't address.

 

[scorpio vega]

Now I understand why vision pro users can't use safari to use YouTube, cause apple has sabotaged their own web browser to force companies to make apps, so apple can syphon 30%.

Except android users are the same way. It’s largely why windows phone failed.

People want apps. They don’t want to have to open their browsers. The usability of an app vs the browser/mobile is different.

Smartphones were made for apps. It has nothing to do with apple or android.

I use tinder app even though I can go directly to tinder.com because the app is convenient.

If apps weren’t important then phones like the sidekick and windows phone would be thriving just well in 2024.

So no it has nothing to do with sabatoging a browser to incur 30 percent. Y’all just want apple to lose for once so you’re happy with the status quo.

lol MR users have been slipping terribly with the quality of arguments made. I almost thought this was Reddit.

Anyway I’m cancelling Hulu anyway for this and several reasons and as I said above I don’t care enough to go back and forth with these low quality arguments so my time in this “debate” is over. As I don’t care.

 

[JippaLippa]

So, they increased the prices while at the same time ditching apple fees?
Talk about being greedy...

How about saving some money by cutting a few of the lackluster Star Wars shows that you've been pumping out non stop, Disney?!
(Not you, Andor ❤️)

 

[Abazigal]

I’ll tell you a secret: iPhone users do not belong to Apple. Apple has no rights on them and definitely does not deserve a share of their money when they use their iPhone to access a service. Sure they can ask for some money if they choose to do so by using the App Store, but companies cannot be forced to sell only (or at all) on the AppStore, and thankfully that’s not the case any longer. Apple should just accept this fact, cope, and start doing again what it used to be good at: developing good hardware and earning money through its sale. The last time it developed something truly new was the Vision Pro and it was a huge flop. iPhones, Apple Watches and the existing product lines have been stagnant for years with only minor and incremental updates. This is not good and one can hardly blame Disney and Netflix if Apple’s profits will not be as good as they could be.

I find it a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Apple uses me as leverage to get third parties to agree to their terms in order to access me as a paying customer and I benefit from a better integrated experience overall.

For example, Apple is the only company able to sell their phones through carriers while keeping it free of carrier meddling. This is possible only because of a loyal fanbase who was willing to follow Apple across carriers. Was it better when android smartphones were denied software updates, and came with a ton of bloatware preinstalled?

You get banks agreeing to support Apple Pay because if they didn't, they risked losing customers to another bank who did. I benefit by "belonging" to Apple, and if Apple takes a cut in the process, what's it to me? Remember that contactless payments didn't really take off under Google. You don't just release a feature out into the wild and expect it take off by chance. You force change, using whatever leverage you can muster, and Apple's best leverage remains its lucrative user base.

I want developers to have to go through the App Store where they are subject to App Store rules and Apple's vetting and use iTunes and incorporate features like ATT, Sign in with Apple or the ability to view and manage my subscriptions. Remind me again things are better in the google play store?

Perhaps you are right that it is inevitable that Apple is forced to relax the hold they have on their ecosystem and open up, and if and when that day comes, I won't be popping any champagne, because it just means a worse experience for me (and many other people who specifically chose to buy into the Apple ecosystem).

I don't understand what exactly there is to cheer here.

 

[MilaM]

So if they're no longer part of Apple's Video Partner Program, does that mean they'll be kicked out of the Apple TV app and off of the Watch next playlist? So Disney and Hulu will be like Netflix, in that no updates or recommendations are fed to the Apple TV app and the playlist?

Not a big loss I think. It was always super confusing when the Apple TV app suggested content from the Disney app. I tried to disable this, but it did not seem possible.