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An ad-supported version of Disney+ is coming to the U.S. later this year, the media giant said Friday.
Walt Disney Co.
DIS,
-3.82%
did not say how much the new service will cost or when it will be available, but it will be priced less than the ad-free version, which goes for $7.99 a month in the U.S.
Disney called the ad-supported version of Disney+ a “building block” for the company’s goal of reaching 230 million to 260 million subscribers worldwide by the end of its 2024 fiscal year. Through 2021, the 2-year-old Disney+ has accumulated 129.8 million paid customers worldwide, with the addition of 11.8 million in its last quarter.
“Expanding access to Disney Plus to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone — consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers,” Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, said in a statement Friday. “More consumers will be able to access our amazing content. Advertisers will be able to reach a wider audience, and our storytellers will be able to share their incredible work with more fans and families.”
Disney’s streaming rivals Netflix Inc.
NFLX,
-2.77%
and Amazon.com Inc.
AMZN,
-2.29%
do not offer ad-supported options. AT&T Inc.’s
T,
-1.38%
WarnerMedia, soon to merge with Discovery, added an ad version of HBO Max in June.
Paramount Global’s
PARA,
-3.64%
Paramount+ and Comcast Corp.’s
CMCSA,
-0.42%
Peacock have ad-free and ad-supported plans.
