Josh D’Amaro Confirms Interest in Free Disney+ Tier on Q3 Earnings Call
The Disney+ streaming service has been undergoing a bit of a metamorphosis in recent years, evolving from a relatively standard direct-to-consumer platform into a catch-all hub from which you can engage with The Walt Disney Company in a myriad of ways.
Paramount in this evolution is accessibility — giving consumers various ways to interact with your product is never a bad idea.
Families Streaming Disney+
Rumors began circulating last month that the company was exploring the launch of a free, ad-supported Disney+ tier, which would further increase the platform’s potential user base.
CEO Josh D’Amaro spoke about this possibility during Disney’s Q3 2026 earnings call, confirming the company’s interest while stressing that he had nothing definitive to announce.
Free Disney+ Tier Could Be Coming
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
D’Amaro believes that a FAST (free ad-supported television) supplement to Disney+ would broaden the platform’s reach while serving as a potential entry point for new paid subscribers.
“We see it as a way to expand our reach to a customer segment that’s more price-sensitive, and expanding our reach is, as we’ve talked about before, one of our strategic priorities,” D’Amaro said on the call, per Variety. “Unlike a lot of our [advertising-based video on demand] competitors, we’re fairly well sold, meaning more inventory would actually help us accelerate our ad revenue growth.
Photo: Josh D’Amaro on Instagram
“And then finally, as a free offering that could help us drive top-of-funnel Disney+ subscriber growth. So nothing specific to announce today, but definitely something that we’re considering.”
Disney has long been a significant player in Hollywood’s ‘streaming war,’ but the nature of the battle has changed in recent years. While several streaming platforms have struggled to find footing or experienced stagnation, free ad-supported services like Tubi and Pluto TV have seen growth.
Disney+
According to Yahoo!’s Fiona Craig, “free streaming platforms accounted for 18.7% of U.S. television viewing in April 2026.” The market has become inundated with streaming options, and consumers are, thus, looking for more cost-effective, sustainable alternatives.
This is what makes a potential Disney+ free tier such an auspicious possibility. It not only increases visibility, but it also allows new consumers in the door.
Photo: Getty Images/Ringer illustration
Disney+ already offers a standalone ad-supported tier for $11.99 per month. It’s currently unknown how this FAST offering, if launched, would impact that option.
The Platform’s Evolution
Image Credit: The Walt Disney Company
Disney+ took another step in its evolution on Wednesday morning, as Disney announced an innovative content-sharing agreement with TikTok. The deal will provide TikTok users with various Disney assets to be used in short-form videos, which will then appear on both TikTok and Disney+.
It’s the platform’s most significant implementation of user-generated content yet, an endeavor it started in earnest last year. The changes aim to broaden Disney+’s offerings and reach, in turn putting the company in front of more eyes.
Image Credit: ABC News/Getty Images
As always, be sure to keep an eye on MickeyBlog for the latest on all things Disney.
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Feature Image Credit: Disney/The Hollywood Reporter
