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

Disney is no longer allowing its customers to sign up for and purchase subscriptions to Hulu or Disney+ through Apple's App Store, cutting out any subscription fees that Disney would have needed to pay to Apple for using in-app purchase.

hulu logo 2019
The change was noted on Reddit over the weekend, and there are details on the Disney+ and Hulu websites. Both the Disney+ and Hulu websites say that new and returning subscribers cannot sign up for and pay through Apple, but existing Apple-billed subscribers are not affected.

Hulu and Disney+ customers can still watch content on Apple devices by signing into their Hulu and Disney+ accounts in the iOS apps. Disney is now directing customers to its websites in order to see all plans and sign up for a subscription directly.

For digital purchases like subscription services, Apple collects a 15 to 30 percent fee from each transaction. By removing the option to sign up for streaming services using the in-app purchase system, Disney will not have to pay a fee to Apple and it will be classified as a "reader" app.

Disney's decision to stop supporting in-app purchases correlates with price increases that went into effect on October 17. Disney+ plan pricing went up by $2, while Hulu with ads is $2 more expensive and Hulu without ads is $1 more. Eliminating the in-app purchase fees paid to Apple seems to be part of an effort to boost streaming revenue, paired with price hikes and also a recent crackdown on password sharing.

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.

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Top Rated Comments

hoodafoo Avatar
12 weeks ago
Can't wait for Disney to pass on the savings to users!
Score: 71 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reyesmac Avatar
12 weeks ago
Apple makes it way too easy to cancel subscriptions for other companies services.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
12 weeks ago

Apple makes it way too easy to cancel subscriptions for other companies services.
Disney+ and Hulu are no complicated to cancel than apple subscriptions.

Either way, they don’t want to pay 30% of the sub fee to apple, which I can understand.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FSMBP Avatar
12 weeks ago
If Apple was hosting the content, it makes sense to take a fee. In most cases it seems, they seem a bit greedy.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scorpio vega Avatar
12 weeks ago

Disney+ and Hulu are no complicated to cancel than apple subscriptions.

Either way, they don’t want to pay 30% of the sub fee to apple, which I can understand.
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
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApostolisApo Avatar
12 weeks ago
Disney+ is one of the most Apple-friendly developers out there, so it is news when they ditch App Store's subscription scheme.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)