Business
Disney Announces Streaming Price Hikes for Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
Disney has announced price increases for its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Starting in mid-October, most plans will see an increase of $1 to $2 per month, according to a press release on Tuesday. The most significant price hike will be for Hulu plans that include live TV, which will increase by $6 per month.
The updated pricing for Disney’s streaming platforms is as follows:
- Disney+: Basic plan will be $9.99 per month, and the premium plan will cost $15.99 per month.
- Hulu: With ads, the plan will cost $9.99 monthly, while the ad-free plan will be $18.99 per month.
- ESPN+: The service, which features ads, will be priced at $11.99 per month.
These price hikes are part of Disney’s strategy to encourage customers to opt for bundled services, offering more value for their money. Disney has long offered bundles of its services, such as a combination of Hulu and Disney+, or both streaming services plus ESPN+. The existing bundle of Disney+ and Hulu with ads will see a price increase to $10.99 per month, up by $1. The ad-free bundle will maintain its current price of $19.99 per month.
Additionally, Disney has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to offer a new bundle, which will include Disney+, Hulu, and Max. Announced in July, this bundle will be available for $16.99 with ads and $29.99 for a commercial-free experience, representing “a savings of 38% compared with the price of the services purchased separately.”
Business
Iceland Demands Supermarket Rivals Stop Selling Prawn Rings
Supermarket chain Iceland has filed a trademark application for its well-known “King Prawn Rings,” urging rival supermarkets to stop selling similar products. Iceland, headquartered in Flintshire, claims it has faced increasing imitation since introducing its prawn rings in 1991.
In a bold open letter shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Iceland called out major competitors Aldi, Tesco, Lidl, and Asda, accusing them of selling “copy crustaceans.” The letter cheekily asserted, “The King Prawn Ring is ours, and we won’t be letting you off the hook.”
Lidl humorously responded, “Here was us thinking it was a classic 1970s party dish.”
Iceland’s letter, signed by “Iceland Foods,” warned other retailers to cease selling prawn rings, especially ahead of Christmas. The chain emphasized its intent to pursue legal action if competitors don’t comply, declaring, “Our lawyers are more than ready to dive into legal waters.”
The prawn ring battle has sparked social media buzz, with consumers eagerly watching how rival supermarkets will respond to Iceland’s trademark claim.
Business
Boeing Workers Reject Latest Pay Offer Despite 30% Rise, Union Says
The union representing striking Boeing workers has stated that its members are not interested in the company’s latest pay proposal, which includes a 30% raise over four years. According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), a survey revealed overwhelming dissatisfaction with the offer, labeling it as “inadequate.”
This rejection follows Boeing’s new “best and final” offer, which also included a performance bonus reinstatement, improved retirement benefits, and a one-time $6,000 signing bonus. The company set a deadline for the deal to be ratified by union members by midnight on September 27.
However, IAM criticized Boeing for sending the offer directly to workers and the media without consulting union leaders and stated that the time frame was insufficient to organize a proper vote. Boeing has denied the union’s claims and said it would allow more time and provide support to facilitate the vote.
Business
China Unveils Bold Measures to Revive Economy Amid Growth Concerns
China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has launched a significant package of measures aimed at revitalizing its struggling economy. PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng announced plans to lower borrowing costs and allow banks to expand lending to stimulate economic activity.
With recent economic data raising concerns that China may miss its 5% growth target this year, the central bank will cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR)—the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve—by half a percentage point, releasing around 1 trillion yuan ($142 billion) into the economy. Additional cuts may follow later in the year.
The package also addresses China’s property market crisis by cutting interest rates for existing mortgages and reducing minimum down payments for all homes to 15%.
Asian stock markets responded positively to the news, seeing a boost after Mr. Pan’s announcement, which came during a rare joint press conference with officials from two other financial regulators.
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