Disney+ Considering Free Streaming Tier, Report Says
Disney+ is considering making parts of its streaming library available for free, according to a Business Insider report. The possibility of offering free content was discussed during an internal company meeting.
Media giant Disney is reportedly exploring the possibility of offering a portion of its streaming library for free on Disney+, according to a report by Business Insider. The discussion about launching a free tier took place during an internal town hall meeting led by Adam Smith, Disney's chief product and technology officer. It remains unclear which shows or movies would be included or when such an offering might be rolled out.
This move could help Disney+ better compete with free streaming services such as YouTube and Tubi, which are capturing a growing share of consumer viewing time. Offering select free content might also help Disney+ differentiate itself from streaming peers like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, especially as some services, like Apple TV+ and Paramount+, already allow access to a few free episodes.
The increasing prices of streaming services have led consumers to turn towards ad-supported alternatives. According to data from Nielsen, free streaming services accounted for 18.7% of U.S. television viewing time in April 2026, up from 16.8% the previous year. Disney's consideration of a free tier appears to be a response to these evolving consumer habits.
The company is said to be considering this strategy as a way to address heightened competition and changing viewer preferences. By providing free content, Disney+ could potentially attract new users and expand its audience base, although specific details of the plan have not yet been publicly disclosed.