Disney is to launch of an ad-supported version of its Disney+ streaming service.
Disney+ will introduce an ad-supported subscription in addition to its option without ads, beginning in the US in late 2022, with plans to expand internationally in 2023.
Disney already provides other ad-supported streaming services, including Hulu and ESPN+.
However, the launch of an ad-funded offering would bring Disney+ into line with some other major players in the streaming space. WarnerMedia, Discovery, NBCUniversal and Paramount have launched ad-funded streaming offerings to complement paid-for services as the market for subscription services becomes more competitive and consumer exhibit less willingness to pay for additional services. Netflix remains a hold-out against ad-funded variants of premium services.
Disney’s ad-supported offering is viewed as a building block in the company’s…
