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Josh D’Amaro Confirms Disney is Exploring a Free Ad-Supported Streaming Product

Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro confirmed during a recent earnings call that the company is exploring the launch of a free, ad-supported streaming product. This initiative is a strategic priority intended to reach price-sensitive customers and expand the company's reach. D’Amaro noted that because Disney is well-sold on ad inventory, a free offering would help accelerate ad revenue growth while simultaneously driving top-of-funnel subscriber growth for Disney+. While no specific timeline or scope was announced today, the move comes as competition from free-to-watch services like YouTube and FAST platforms such as Tubi and The Roku Channel increases. These services have gained traction as subscription costs for major platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have risen. Additionally, Disney plans to transform Disney+ into a comprehensive membership ecosystem starting next year, which will include games, merchandise, and increased personalization. The company also announced a partnership with TikTok to integrate fan-created content into the Disney+ platform.

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