Disney Plus Confirms A New, Cheaper Tier Is Coming

It’s no secret that we’re in the midst of a cost of living crisis. It’s not a cheery topic to talk about, but it is necessary given how many people are struggling with price rises in all aspects of our lives. In a bid to cut down on costs, people are reassessing what’s truly important - and streaming subscriptions aren't always making the cut anymore.

Netflix recently experienced a record fall in subscribers leading to a $50 billion drop in value. Disney+ clearly doesn't want to follow in Netflix’s footsteps, so they’ve now announced that a new cheaper subscription tier is coming, although there is one catch.

The next big release to hit Disney+ later this month is the long-awaited Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Take a look at the latest trailer below.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek revealed during this week’s quarterly earnings call that Disney+ would receive an ad-supported tier in the US by the end of this year, with international markets receiving the update sometime during 2023.

Chapek said, “Expanding Disney+ access to multiple price points is a win for consumers and advertisers." He’s not wrong. There are plenty of people who will welcome adverts in exchange for a cheaper bill.

It’s not yet known how much the tier will cost. Currently, Disney+ costs $7.99/£7.99 so we know it’ll certainly be below that. Given the exchange rate, UK-based subscribers to Disney+ are already paying more than their American counterparts so the cheaper tier could be particularly welcomed here.

Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, also spoke out on the announcement. He said, “Expanding access to Disney+ to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone. [..] 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."

With the cheaper tier still several months away at least, it remains to be seen if the subscriber count of Disney+ will be affected in the meantime.