Disney+ could soon get a free tier — and it’s about much more than streaming

Disney is exploring a free Disney+ tier to bring more viewers into its streaming ecosystem CEO Josh D’Amaro says a free offering could help drive subscriber growth The idea is for Disney+ to become a broader digital hub beyond movies and TV shows Disney’s TikTok partnership wasn’t the only streaming

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>Disney is exploring a free Disney+ tier to bring more viewers into its streaming ecosystem</strong></li><li><strong>CEO Josh D’Amaro says a free offering could help drive subscriber growth</strong></li><li><strong>The idea is for Disney+ to become a broader digital hub beyond movies and TV shows</strong></li></ul><p>Disney’s TikTok partnership wasn’t the only streaming news from the House of Mouse today. During the company’s earnings call, CEO Josh D’Amaro revealed that Disney is exploring a free tier of sorts for Disney+ — a move that could eventually give more viewers a way into the platform without paying for a subscription.</p><p>That doesn’t necessarily mean free access to the entire Disney+ catalog. The service currently houses a massive library of owned content spanning Disney Animation, Disney Channel, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, FX, and more. Disney+ already offers an entry tier with ads, including pre-roll and mid-roll placements during TV shows, movies, and documentaries.</p><p>Instead, Disney appears to be viewing a free offering as a potential new funnel to introduce more viewers to the platform and eventually convert them into paying subscribers.</p><p>On the call, D’Amaro explained that the idea could help Disney reach a more price-sensitive audience, saying: “First, we see it as a way to expand our reach to a customer segment that’s more price sensitive. Expanding our reach is, as we’ve talked about before, one of our strategic priorities.”</p><p>He added that a free tier could also support Disney’s growing advertising business: “Second, unlike a lot of our AVOD competitors, we’re fairly well sold, meaning more inventory would actually help us accelerate our ad revenue growth.”</p><p>Finally, D’Amaro noted that a free offering could help drive new subscribers into Disney+: “And then finally, as you mentioned in your question, a free offering could help us drive top-of-funnel Disney+ subscriber growth.”</p><p>For now, Disney isn’t committing to a launch date or specific structure. “So nothing specific to announce today, but definitely something that we’re considering,” D’Amaro concluded.</p><p>While some of the best streaming services, including Disney’s own Hulu, have offered free tiers, the current market for fully free, ad-supported streaming is largely dominated by platforms like Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, and Roku. Disney+ entering that space could be a compelling move, especially if the company uses its massive portfolio of franchises and recognizable brands to attract viewers.</p><p>But the bigger picture may not just be about streaming. D’Amaro also underscored the importance of Disney+ as a “global touchpoint” for the company, suggesting the service could become a much larger gateway into the broader Disney ecosystem.</p><p>Today, that ecosystem is still fairly fragmented digitally. Disney+ serves as the primary destination for its streaming content, while other major parts of the company operate through separate experiences — including the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/one-of-iphones-best-features-is-finally-going-to-disney-world-and-disneyland">My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World</a>, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/from-the-first-visit-to-our-website-to-the-final-tram-ride-home-disneylands-plan-to-make-your-trip-easier">Disneyland app for guests in California</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/disney-didnt-animate-hercules-titans-for-its-show-on-disney-destiny-it-engineered-them">Disney Cruise Line’s own digital tools</a>, dedicated apps for international parks, and various gaming platforms including a partnership with Fortnite.</p><p>While there have been rumors about Disney+ eventually evolving into something closer to a super app, D’Amaro instead described it as a “digital centerpiece” that could eventually encompass shopping, other brand experiences, and even gaming. The timeline for those expansions may be further out, but it’s clear Disney sees Disney+ as more than just a place to watch movies and TV shows.</p><p>A free tier could be the first step in lowering the barrier to entry and getting more people connected to that larger Disney ecosystem — even if they aren’t paying a monthly subscription fee right away</p> </article> ]]>