The world’s largest media company, Walt Disney Company, has stated that it will raise costs for users who want to access Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ ad-free.

As a result, starting December 8, 2022, Disney will release an ad-supported edition for $7.99 per month, the same price as its existing ad-free version.

Disney+ without advertisements will increase by 38% to $10.99 in the meanwhile.

This implies that South African Disney+ users will continue to pay R119 ($7.37) a month for the ad-supported tier while shelling out roughly R164 ($9.77) a month for the ad-free tier.

Disney claims that by providing users the choice of how much to pay for the service, the addition of an ad-supported tier will increase subscribers and income.

Depending on the plan, Hulu’s costs will increase from $1 to $2 per month in December.

On the other side, Netflix will introduce an ad-supported tier, though we don’t yet know when in 2023 it will do so or how much it will cost. But one thing is certain: it will be less expensive.

Disney reported in July 2022 that it has sold $9 billion worth of advertisements for the forthcoming TV season, with 40% of that amount going to its online content.

The total number of Disney+ subscribers has reached 152.1 million. Hulu currently has 46.2 million subscribers compared to 22.8 million for ESPN+ (including live TV).

At the end of the June quarter, Disney reported 221.1 million streaming subscribers across Hulu and ESPN+. However, 220.7 million streaming users were reported by Netflix.

As viewers switched away from traditional cable and broadcast television in favor of internet viewing, Disney created a streaming service to compete with Netflix.

Additionally, Disney has eclipsed Netflix in terms of overall streaming subscribers after five years. In June 2022, when it debuted the Marvel series Ms. Marvel and the Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi, Disney+ added 14.4 million subscribers, beating FactSet’s forecast of 10 million.

Artiste Development and Music Label, Chase Music Nigeria, has announced the second edition of its annual recording camp. This edition is powered by global music distribution company TuneCore. Chase Music Nigeria, which has made its mark in the music industry, is home to Afro-pop artistes Jinmi Abduls, King AMO, Mohalizer, and F3line.

The announcement of the recording camp comes seven months after the maiden edition, which hosted industry breakout artistes like Hennessy Artistry winner, The PDSTRN, Musta4a, Creen Caeser, Marley Abdul, and producers like NYRP, Noah Aire, BabyBeats and PortHacourt sensation Trijay.

“The recording camp aims to position Chase Music as not just a label, or just another talent management agency, but the hub for independent, unsigned creatives (artistes, producers, sound engineers, instrumentalists, and A&R’s included) to learn, create, get discovered and network to achieve a world-class level of artistry and productivity,” Kevin Asaju, Managing Director Chase Music Nigeria.

Speaking on the partnership between TuneCore and Chase Music Nigeria, the head of TuneCore East and West Africa, Chioma Onuchukwu, said, “At TuneCore, we are constantly looking for new ways to connect and support independent emerging artists. One way we do that is through education and thought leadership in the music business. Therefore, we are excited to collaborate with Chase Music on the recording camp as our goals align with developing the African independent artistes and music industry”.

“We are intentional about how we can offer more value and close gaps in the music space. We recently launched our new unlimited price plan to offer our artists and independent labels more options. The new pricing is a welcomed change in a price-sensitive market like Africa. There’s more to come,” Chioma added.

The camp would boast of an array of independent – unsigned artists who would not only learn about music production and record music but would also be lectured on the music business, entertainment law, artiste branding, digital presence, and many more.

The camp would run from the 17th to the 20th of August.

Application for the camp is open and all artists, producers, sound engineers, instrumentalists, and aspiring A&Rs.

Interested creatives can apply by following instructions below;

Disqualified BBNaija Season 7 housemate, Beauty broke down in tears as she apologised for the way she left the show.

It would be recalled that Beauty, a former Miss Nigeria was disqualified after she was given two additional strikes on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

Biggie said: “Your actions last night were out of line; you should have managed your emotions. You removed your microphone; you threw another object at Groovy after throwing your glasses, wig at him….”

A day prior to Sunday when she was disqualified, Beauty had an altercation with her love interest in the BBNaija season 7 house.

Beauty’s reaction resulted from Groovy’s dance party activities with Chomzy, a Level 1 housemate.

However, in an interview after her disqualification, Beauty apologised for her actions in the house.

“To everybody who has been riding with me and loving me, thank you, and I’m so sorry I left like this,” she apologised.