Disney Plus is reportedly looking into a free streaming tier
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Disney is reportedly exploring the introduction of a free, ad-supported-style streaming tier for Disney Plus, according to a report from Business Insider. The idea was said to have been raised by Adam Smith, Disney's chief product and technology officer, during a company town hall on Thursday, and is described as part of ongoing discussions about ways to "better serve fans". If it goes ahead, the move would mark a notable shift for a service that has so far relied on paid subscriptions.
Key details remain scarce: it is not clear which shows or films would be included, or when such a tier might launch, and Disney did not immediately respond to The Verge's request for comment. The reported deliberations come as streamers increasingly compete with YouTube, which now commands a large share of viewers' time on television sets. Disney Plus has already rolled out features such as vertical video feeds and always-on channels — the latter being something Netflix is also rumoured to be considering.
- Disney reportedly weighing a free Disney Plus streaming tier.
- Idea raised by a senior executive at a company town hall.
- Move seen as a way to compete with YouTube.
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Disney Plus has been built almost entirely around paid subscriptions since it launched in 2019, unlike rivals such as YouTube, which is free to watch and makes its money from advertising. Adam Smith is Disney's chief product and technology officer, meaning he oversees how the service works and develops; his comments came during an internal town hall meeting for staff, rather than a formal announcement. Business Insider first reported the remarks, and Disney has not confirmed or given further detail publicly.
The wider context is a streaming market where viewers increasingly watch YouTube on their television sets rather than traditional subscription services, putting pressure on companies like Disney to find new ways to attract and keep audiences. Streaming firms have been experimenting with different formats to compete, including cheaper ad-supported plans, short vertical videos, and "always-on" channels that play continuously like traditional TV.
A free tier would represent a significant change in strategy for Disney Plus, which has so far asked all users to pay something to watch its films and shows. It remains unclear what such a service might look like in practice, including which content would be available and when, or whether the idea will move beyond internal discussion.
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