Disney+ could get gratis tier as company explores major streaming change

Disney is considering introducing a free tier for Disney+, allowing some content to be watched without a subscription as the company looks for new ways to grow its streaming audience.

Por qué esta historia importa ahora

According to a report from Business Insider , Disney is exploring making a selection of Disney+ content available outside of its existing paywall. The plans were reportedly discussed during a streaming town hall led by Disney product and technology chief Adam Smith on July 9.

El contexto que mueve la conversación

No timeline has been shared, and the company has not confirmed how much content would be included if the feature moves forward. A person familiar with Disney’s streaming strategy said the conversations are part of an ongoing effort to explore new ways to better serve viewers.

Qué puede pasar después

Disney+ currently starts at $12.99 per month with ads when bundled with Hulu, while the ad-free bundle costs $19.99 per month.

Lectura rápida para la comunidad

The discussions come as free streaming platforms continue gaining ground with audiences.

According to Nielsen data cited in the report, the three largest free streaming services accounted for 18.7% of watch time on US televisions in April 2026. That figure was up from 16.8% a year earlier and 12.7% in April 2024.

As subscription prices across the streaming industry have increased, more viewers have turned to free, ad-supported services such as YouTube , Tubi, and The Roku Channel.

A free tier would represent a significant shift for Disney+, as major subscription streaming platforms have generally limited free access to promotional episodes rather than offering broader libraries without payment.

The discussions also come as streaming companies experiment with new formats to increase engagement.

Disney has recently introduced vertical video clips inside Disney+ , while Paramount+ has launched similar features. Netflix also announced plans to begin offering short-form videos from major publishers, adding to its broader push into new video formats.