In March 2022, it was announced Disney+ would soon be offering a less expensive version of Disney+ with ads to compensate for the lower price, and this week new details were revealed about the ad-supported service.
According to the industry magazine Variety, Disney says it will not accept ads that are political in nature, or promote alcohol. It will also not allow rival outlets or entertainment studios to advertise.
When it comes to kids, Disney also says no ads will play when the user profile being used indicated a child is watching. This I approve of.
Ad blocks that do run on Disney+ will run an average of four minutes per hour or less. Which is at least a third less time than other services.
During last week’s financials report, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that having an ad-supported tier on Disney+ will give the company the ability to reach an even more broad audience as they expand Disney+ across multiple price points.
Despite this news, there is no date given as to when the ad-supported option will be available for Disney+.
At this week’s TV Upfronts, where networks and streamers present their upcoming offerings to media buyers and the press, Chapek opened the Disney presentation by calling the Walt Disney Company “the most powerful force in the industry” before saying:
“We have a portfolio of dynamic distribution platforms, linear networks, digital channels, and of course, our powerful and growing streaming services… The Walt Disney Company is unrivaled. In fact, when you look at the entertainment landscape I believe Disney stands alone…As we begin Disney’s second century, our goal is to yet again transform entertainment by combining extraordinary storytelling with innovative technology to create an even larger, more connected and magical Disney universe.”
If you don’t already have Disney+, will a lower price with ads make you a subscriber? If you’re already a subscriber, will you switch to the ad-supported tier to save money? Let us know in the comments.
I’m concerned, with Disney’s current stance in Florida, that they can stay non-political in their ads. I’m also concerned with the ads that will air on the adult profile, I don’t think it feasible that kids will always sign in on their own profile. Thus, adult ads will be available to children and in a child’s mind then be associated to Disney.
How will it work internationally outside the USA? Are they going to have to source ads by country and possibly make it longer for the rollout worldwide?
It sounds like this is only for the US to start.
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