Disney+ now has ad-supported options for subscribers in the United States. The new ad-supported options are part of the Disney+ Basic plans. Those with ad-free Disney+ subscriptions are recognized as Premium subscribers.
“Today’s launch marks a milestone moment for Disney+ and puts consumer choice at the forefront,” said Michael Paull, president, Direct to Consumer. “With these new ad-supported offerings, we’re able to deliver greater flexibility for consumers to enjoy the full breadth and depth of incredible storytelling from The Walt Disney Company.”
With the arrival of an ad-supported version of Disney+, there also comes the arrival of a multitude of advertisers. Today Disney announced that there are over 100 advertisers included with the launch of the ad-supported Disney+.
“Today we welcome Disney+ with ads to the largest, most diverse and impactful portfolio in the industry,” said Rita Ferro, president, Disney Advertising. “We are committed to connecting our clients to the best storytelling in the world while delivering innovation and viewer-first experiences in streaming now and in the future.”
With the launch of Disney+ Basic, the subscribers who choose the ad-supported plans will be able to access the full content catalog and also key product features that are offered with Disney+ Premium plans. These include:
- Exclusive Originals & Library Content – an ever-growing collection of thousands of titles across films, documentaries, series, and shorts, plus unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment
- Profiles – create up to seven profiles per account, with the ability to set profile PINs and content ratings by profile through Parental Controls
- Concurrent Viewing – stream on up to four supported devices simultaneously
- High-Quality Video Formats – including, where supported, 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, Full HD, HDR10, and Expanded Aspect Ratio with IMAX Enhanced
Those who are already subscribers of Disney+ can change to the Basic plan for $7.99 per month. The Premium plans are now $10.99 per month of $109 per year. No action needs to be taken by current Premium subscribers to stay at this level. The new ad-supported plans that are available in the United States now are the following:
| Plan | Subscription(s) | Price |
| Disney+ Basic | Disney+ | $7.99/month |
| Disney Bundle Duo Basic | Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads) | $9.99/month |
| Disney Bundle Trio Basic | Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), ESPN+ (With Ads) | $12.99/month |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV | Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, plus access to Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $69.99/month |
The launch of Disney+ Basic will combine the power of Disney storytelling with “the most advanced proprietary advertising technology and audience-based capabilities,” Disney shared in a release. “The combination delivers sophisticated, globally-scalable advertising that offers choice and value for both consumers and advertisers.”
There is quite the collection of blue chip brand advertisers that come with Disney+ Basic from major agency holding companies. This includes Dentsu, Havas, Horizon, IPG, Omnicom Group, Publicis, RPA, Stagwell and WPP. They are representing over a dozen categories that include retail, apparel, autos, financial services, restaurants, technology, telcom, consumer packaged goods, and travel. There are hundreds of creatives working on the advertising to create a variety of experiences for both brands and consumers.
The Disney+ Basic subscriptions that were launched today are only intended for use in the United States and in countries where ad-supported subscriptions are available. Disney+ Basic subscribers won’t have access to Premium features like Downloads or GroupWatch and SharePlay. Dolby Atmos will not be available with the initial launch, either.
What do you think of the arrival of the Disney+ Basic subscriptions plans? Will you be signing up for one of them? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
