‘Disney+ Basic’ Launches With Ads, As Standard Tier Gets Price Bump

Following in the footsteps of Netflix, The Walt Disney Company has officially launched a new advertisement-supported tier for its streaming service, Disney+, with new bundles offering consumers more options when it comes to paying for entertainment. 

Disney+ Basic, which comes with advertisements, will cost users US$7.99 per month, while the ad-free, Disney+ standard tier will have its price increased to US$10.99 (up from US$7.99) monthly. The cheaper plan currently does not allow you to download episodes or access GroupWatch and Dolby Atmos. 

In comparison, Netflix’s ad-supported plan costs US$6.99 per month, and HBO Max’s subscription service with advertisements is available at US$9.99 monthly. 

If you’re subscribed to The Disney Bundle, which merges Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ subscriptions into a single package, there’ll be changes coming your way, too. The Disney Bundle Duo will now combine ad-supported tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu for US$9.99 per month. 

For sports lovers, there’s The Disney Bundle Trio Basic, which comprises ad-supported versions of Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for a monthly fee of US$12.99. The premium option of all three services—The Disney Bundle Trio Premium—will set you back US$19.99 every month. 

In total, Disney reveals that over 100 sponsors have signed on for Disney+ advertisements, spanning a dozen categories such as retail, automotive, and more. Thankfully, customers will be granted “volume and variety,” so the advertisements aren’t too repetitive. 

“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,” said Michael Paull, President of Direct to Consumer, at Disney+. 

[via The Hollywood Reporter and The Walt Disney Co, cover image via Tanaonte | Dreamstime.com]