The Walt Disney Company is looking into new ways to bring more people to its streaming platform. Recent reports indicate that the entertainment giant might drop the paywall for a portion of its catalog. While nothing is set in stone yet, this move would allow people to watch certain shows and movies on the app without spending a single dime. This represents a major shift for the popular service.
Company executives discuss pulling the paywall for some content
Chief Product and Tech Officer Adam Smith recently spoke about the idea during a company town hall. Sources say these talks are part of a bigger plan to better serve viewers and pull a new audience toward its platform. A free option would likely rely on ads to bring in money.
This idea could help Disney stand out in a crowded market. Rivals like Netflix and Max do not currently offer totally free access to their main shows and movies. By giving away a taste of what it has to offer at no cost, the service hopes to hook viewers who might later decide to pay for a subscription.
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Right now, users have to pay $12.99 a month for the ad-supported bundle with Hulu. The ad-free version costs $19.99 a month. Handing out select streaming video titles for free might seem odd for a paid app, but it makes sense if it gets more people watching over time.
Smith did not give a clear timeline or say exactly which shows might be included. For now, the idea remains just a talk inside the company rather than a done deal. Viewers will just have to wait and see if these plans actually happen in the near future.
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