The Walt Disney Company said on Friday that it would introduce an ad-supported version of Disney+ later this year. The streaming service is best known for Marvel and Disney series and movies. The new ad-supported tier will first be rolled out in the United States, followed by other countries in 2023.
This means that, when South Africa eventually gets access to the mouse company’s service this year, a discount is unlikely. We’ll be paying full price, at least for a while. Not that anyone knows what the cheaper cost is yet.
Disney+ ads = cheaper
Disney has not yet set a price for its ad-supported subscription in the US. Nor has the service’s date been announced. It’s just on the way because it’s a good idea. Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution chair Kareem Daniel said, “Expanding access… to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone – consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers.”
And the company’s bottom line is unlikely to suffer either. A cheaper entry point means more subscribers, and the company is looking to score around 250 million users by the end of the 2024 financial year. That sort of money will be quite welcome in the company’s coffers, especially since it’ll be supplemented by ad spend. Maybe they don’t have to stick quite so many ads inside Avengers movies now.
“Disney+ with advertising will offer marketers the most premium environment in streaming with our most beloved brands, Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic,” said Rita Ferro, president of advertising for the company’s entertainment division.
Disney+ launched in late 2019. Since its launch, it has diverted most of its original content from other streaming services to its own platform. Currently, you won’t find much Marvel or Disney content on services like Netflix or Amazon Prime video. It’s all in Mickey’s hands now.
Disney+ is hitting South Africa this June/July. In the US, the service costs $8 per month. We’re looking at around R125/m in South Africa once it turns up.
Source: Engadget