Disney+ for free: what do we know?

Disney could make a very important shift in its strategy for Disney+. According to Business Insider, Disney and Paramount Skydance are both exploring ways to broaden their audience, increase advertising revenue, and turn occasional viewers into subscribers. The idea is to open up part of the Disney+ catalog and get people to open the app more often.

A gateway to the Disney+ catalog

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The proposal is still in the early stages, as Business Insider had already pointed out a few weeks ago, but according to the same outlet, interest in it has been holding fairly steady. The timing, the markets, and the selection of content remain to be seen, of course, since Disney could offer free episodes, movies, or specific titles, while it would reserve the full catalog and other advantages for paid subscriptions.

This approach fits with how streaming is changing in 2026: platforms are looking to combine reach, advertising, and subscriptions in the face of YouTube’s enormous weight on televisions.

YouTube sets the direction for the platforms

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Paramount+ is working on a similar plan and Netflix believes a free tier could work in certain markets. The growth of ad-supported plans shows there’s demand, as Netflix’s recent results reflects.

For Disney+, this option may be especially appealing, since streaming prices have risen over the last few months, and a free gateway would let people get a better sense of the platform before deciding. The right mix can expand Disney+’s reach significantly and get people opening it more often.