US Trends

why does disney plus have ads

Disney Plus has ads now mainly because it needs more revenue, wants cheaper “entry” plans to attract subscribers, and is following a wider streaming trend toward ad-supported tiers.

Quick Scoop: The short version

  • Disney+ added an ad-supported tier (starting in the U.S. in 2022, then rolling out to more countries) so it can earn money from both subscriptions and advertisers.
  • The ad tier lets Disney+ keep a lower price for some plans, while charging more for ad‑free viewing.
  • Like Netflix, Amazon, and others, Disney+ is adjusting to slower growth and higher content costs , so ads are a way to keep profits up without losing price‑sensitive users.
  • Even some “no ads” plans may show limited ads or promos in certain cases (like live sports or in‑service promos), according to updated subscriber agreements.

What exactly changed on Disney Plus?

When Disney+ launched, it marketed itself as a clean, ad‑free streaming service, closer to a premium cable channel than regular TV. Over time, that promise has shifted toward a tiered model:

  • Ad-supported plan :
    • Lower monthly price, but you see ads before and/or during shows and movies.
* Users commonly report **3–4 ad breaks** per session, with spots of about 15–60 seconds.
  • Ad-free / premium plans :
    • Higher monthly price to remove traditional commercial breaks.
* However, Disney’s terms allow **limited promotional content** (like trailers for its own shows or brands), even on “no ads” tiers.

Some subscribers also notice in‑house promos for Disney’s own movies and series that feel like ads, even if they’re technically “trailers.” That blurs the line between “ad‑free” and “no promos at all.”

Why does Disney Plus have ads now?

1. More money, same (or fewer) cancellations

Making new Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and original shows is extremely expensive, and subscriber growth has slowed across the streaming industry. Ads let Disney:

  • Stack revenues : subscription fees + ad sales = more total income per user segment.
  • Experiment with ad frequency : internal experiments and A/B tests try to find the “maximum tolerable ads” before people cancel.
  • Offset churn : people who might quit over higher prices might accept a cheaper, ad‑heavy plan instead.

One forum comment summed it up: Disney is likely testing different ad loads to find the “perfect” level where viewers are “angrily tolerating” ads but not actually leaving.

2. Cheaper plans attract more users

Not everyone wants to pay top dollar for streaming, especially now that people juggle Netflix, Max, Amazon, and more. Disney+ uses ads to:

  • Offer a lower entry price for budget‑conscious viewers.
  • Nudge subscribers toward upselling : you feel the pain of ads and might upgrade to the higher, ad‑free plan later.

So “why does Disney Plus have ads?” is partly “so some people can pay less upfront and still get access.”

3. Competitive pressure and industry trend

Disney is not acting in a vacuum:

  • Netflix kicked off the big mainstream shift to ad-supported streaming when it launched its own ad tier.
  • Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max , and others have similar ad tiers, with “premium” prices for mostly ad‑free viewing.

To stay competitive, Disney+ also needs:

  • An ad inventory it can sell to brands across Disney properties.
  • A product that agencies and marketers can integrate into broader campaigns.

Disney is even experimenting with new ad formats and AI tools to help advertisers generate TV‑ready video spots and better plan campaigns across its platforms.

Why do I see ads even on “no ads” plans?

This is where a lot of the current frustration comes from. There are a few angles:

  • Live sports / special channels
    Disney has clarified that some content (like live events, sports, or 24/7 channels) may include ads even for “ad-free” subscribers, using language like “circumstances may require that certain titles and types of content include ads.”
  • In‑app promos and trailers
    Even on ad‑free tiers, the subscriber agreement allows “limited promotional content” , such as trailers for other Disney content or products.
* Many users are fine with skippable trailers for new Marvel or Star Wars content.
* Others argue “a trailer is still an ad,” especially when it plays before something they’re paying to watch.
  • User perception vs. fine print
    • Marketing phrases like “no ads” make people expect zero interruptions , but the legal language carves out exceptions.
* Forum discussions show a lot of resentment that “ad-free” doesn’t literally mean “nothing promotional, ever.”

What kinds of ads does Disney Plus show?

Disney+ is building a more complex ad system, similar to other big platforms.

  • Standard video ads : 15–60 second commercial clips before or during content, with total breaks usually around 45–60 seconds.
  • House promos : Ads or trailers for Disney’s own movies, shows, theme parks, or brands.
  • Placement inside content : Product placement, sponsorship messaging, or integrated branding that appears within the show or movie itself.

On the tech side, Disney is rolling out tools like:

  • A video generation tool to help brands quickly create connected‑TV‑ready ads.
  • AI‑powered planning tools and dashboards to coordinate campaigns and analyze performance across Disney platforms.

All of this points to Disney+ being treated increasingly like a major ad platform , not just a subscription video app.

How bad are the ads, really?

Experiences vary a lot, and that’s part of what makes this a trending forum topic.

  • Some users report light ad loads that they “don’t really mind,” especially if the price is low and the ads are relevant or skippable.
  • Others feel ad frequency is “getting out of hand,” especially when it feels worse than old cable TV, or when it spikes during testing periods.
  • There are complaints that “if I’m paying, I shouldn’t see ads at all,” echoing early streaming’s promise to be a clean break from ad‑stuffed cable.

One pointed user take: streaming once sold itself as the escape from cable’s ads and bundles, but now prices are higher and ad-free is a pricey luxury add‑on.

Can you avoid Disney Plus ads?

Legitimate ways, summarized:

  • Upgrade to an ad‑free tier
    • Disney+ offers higher‑priced plans that remove standard commercial breaks.
* This usually won’t stop in‑show product placement or rare live‑content ads, but it does kill most traditional interruptions.
  • Watch non‑ad-supported content types
    • Some titles, regions, or bundles may have fewer ad slots, depending on local deals and catalog.

There are also blog posts and tools offering ad blockers or download–save–watch‑offline methods , but many come with warnings about:

  • Violating terms of service.
  • Running into DRM and copyright issues.
  • Possible account or legal risk if you bypass protections.

Safest route if you hate ads: pay for the official ad‑free tier available in your country.

Different viewpoints from users

Here’s how the fight plays out in forums and comment sections right now:

  • “Ads are fine if it’s cheaper” camp
    • Think of the ad tier as the new “basic cable”; you trade a few interruptions for a much lower monthly bill.
    • Skippable, relevant trailers for upcoming shows are seen as acceptable or even welcome.
  • “I pay, so I want zero ads” camp
    • Argue that anything you pay for should exclude ads, because that was the original streaming promise.
* See pre‑roll promos for Disney’s own content as “scummy” on top of constant price hikes.
  • “Streaming is turning back into cable” camp
    • Point to rising prices, bundles, and ad loads as proof we’ve done a full circle.
    • Feel consumers are being squeezed as companies optimize profits and keep “testing” how much annoyance people will tolerate.

Quick HTML summary table

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<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Reason Disney Plus has ads</th>
      <th>What it means for you</th>
      <th>Sources</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Extra revenue (subscriptions + advertisers)</td>
      <td>More ads on cheaper plans, higher prices for ad-free tiers.</td>
      <td>[web:1][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Cheaper entry plans</td>
      <td>You can pay less per month if you accept ads during shows.</td>
      <td>[web:1][web:4]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Following industry trend</td>
      <td>Similar to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu adding ad-supported options.</td>
      <td>[web:1][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Updated “no ads” fine print</td>
      <td>You may still see promos or live-event ads even on premium tiers.</td>
      <td>[web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Ad-tech and AI push</td>
      <td>More sophisticated, targeted advertising formats over time.</td>
      <td>[web:3]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR

Disney Plus has ads because it’s moving to a hybrid business model : cheaper ad-supported tiers, pricier ad-free tiers, and a growing role as an advertising platform in a crowded streaming market.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.