Netflix and Disney Are Now Considering Free, ad-Supported Streaming
The company said a free offering could expand reach to price-sensitive viewers and help accelerate ad revenue growth, with Disney+ subscribers at 132 million.
- On Wednesday, Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro confirmed the company is exploring a free, ad-supported streaming product for consumers, though he stated there is "nothing specific to announce today, but definitely something that we're considering."
- Expanding Disney's streaming reach is a strategic priority, as D'Amaro explained that a free offering would drive "top-of-funnel" subscriber growth for Disney Plus while helping the company "accelerate our ad revenue growth."
- Nielsen data shows free streaming services like YouTube and Tubi captured 18.7% of U.S. television watch time in April 2026, reflecting growing consumer preference for free options amid rising streaming costs.
- Disney plans to transform Disney Plus into "a comprehensive membership ecosystem" early next year while partnering with TikTok to bring fan-created content to the platform for increased personalization.
- Streaming giants face increasing competition from free-to-watch services; while Netflix remains cautious about free tiers, Disney seeks to leverage its vast catalog and ecosystem to maintain market share.
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Netflix and Disney are now considering free, ad-supported streaming
In a recent investor call, Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro confirmed that the company is actively exploring a potential free offering for its Disney+ streaming service. D'Amaro, who took over Disney's leadership from Bob Iger earlier this year, said that a free option could provide several benefits, particularly for "price-sensitive" customers...Read Entire Article
Disney streaming platform seeks to reach more user numbers with a free account that currently has no release date
Disney flirting with letting you look at a bunch of ads so you can watch TikToks on Disney+
The world of streaming—sitting, as it does, at the money-rich, comprehension-poor intersection between Hollywood C-suite types, tech bros, and the ever-looming invisible hand of finance—is awash in acronyms. Letter assemblies like VODs, SVODs, OTTs, and more have flooded the business of just trying to figure out where the fuck a new movie is streaming in recent years, and, on that score, we’ll give credit to new hot-thing-on-the-market FAST, whi…
Los Angeles Times
Times West VirginianCommercials for the ESPN/ABC telecast of the 2027 Super Bowl at SoFi are sold out
Disney said 58 brands have bought time on the game, which is the most-watched TV event of the year.
Disney sells out Super Bowl ad inventory, teases free streamer in Q3 earnings call
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsWalt Disney disclosed on its earnings call this morning that its Super Bowl ad inventory is sold out, which is ahead of the pace of recent years when sales bled into the season. Fox two years ago put the sold out sign up in November, whereas CBS Sports for the Seahawks 2026 win over the New England Patriots sold out around the start of that season. Disney executives did not disclose what the average price is for…
Disney Shares More Plans for a Free Tier
During Disney’s quarterly earnings call earlier today, CEO Josh D’Amaro reiterated that the company is considering a free streaming tier to draw in more subscribers. Last month, we reported that product and tech chief Adam Smith briefly discussed the idea of bringing free content to Disney+ during a company town hall, though he didn’t share […] The post Disney Shares More Plans for a Free Tier appeared first on Cord Cutters News.
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