Disney Plus switched most accounts to an ad-supported tier in late 2022
Disney Plus now offers two subscription tiers: one with ads and one without. If you are seeing ads on your account, you are on the Disney Plus Basic with ads tier, which costs less per month than the ad-free option. Disney made this change to bring in revenue from advertising while offering a lower price point to price-sensitive viewers.
The ad tier was not available when Disney Plus first launched in 2019. In December 2022, Disney introduced it as a new option for new subscribers and existing customers. If your account was active before that date, you may have been automatically moved to the ad tier when your subscription renewed, depending on your plan and region.
The ads appear before, during, and after shows and movies. The number and length of ad breaks vary by title, but Disney has stated that the ad tier includes roughly four to five minutes of ads per hour of content on average.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus offers two tiers: Basic with ads (lower cost) and Premium without ads (higher cost), and your account is on the ad-supported version.
- Existing subscribers were often moved to the ad tier automatically when their subscription renewed after December 2022, even if they previously had an ad-free plan.
- You can switch to the ad-free Premium tier at any time by upgrading your account through your subscription settings.
- The ad tier shows roughly four to five minutes of ads per hour, appearing before, during, and after content.
- Some content, including certain licensed titles, may have fewer ads or different ad patterns than original Disney productions.
How your account was moved to the ad tier
If you had an active Disney Plus subscription before December 2022, you were likely grandfathered into your original plan at first. However, when your subscription renewed or when you made changes to your account, Disney moved many subscribers to the Basic with ads tier to keep the monthly cost lower.
The timing and method of this transition varied. Some accounts were moved automatically at renewal. Others were given a choice when they logged in, with a notification explaining the change. If you did not actively choose to stay on the ad-free plan, your account defaulted to the cheaper ad-supported option.
Disney also raised the price of the ad-free Premium tier at the same time it introduced ads. This means even subscribers who wanted to keep their original plan often faced a price increase to do so.
The difference between the Basic with ads and Premium tiers
The main difference is the presence of ads. The Premium tier costs more per month but includes no advertising. Both tiers offer the same content library and streaming quality, though there are some limits on the Basic tier.
The Basic with ads tier allows streaming on one device at a time. The Premium tier allows streaming on up to four devices at the same time, which matters if multiple people in your household watch simultaneously. The Premium tier also allows downloads to watch offline, while the Basic tier does not.
Pricing varies by region and changes periodically. In the United States, the Basic with ads tier costs less than half the price of Premium, but you should check your account settings to see your exact current pricing.
How to upgrade to the ad-free Premium tier
You can upgrade your account through the Disney Plus app or website. Open your account settings, find the subscription or plan section, and select the option to change your plan. Disney will show you the Premium tier option and its monthly cost before you confirm the change.
The upgrade takes effect when ready. You will not see ads on new content you watch after the upgrade completes. If you are in the middle of watching something, you may still see ads in that session, but future sessions will be ad-free.
You can downgrade back to the ad tier at any time, and the change will take effect at your next billing cycle. Disney does not charge a penalty for switching between tiers.
Why Disney added ads to the service
Disney introduced ads to Disney Plus because the service was not profitable at the price point it was charging. Streaming video costs money to produce, license, and deliver, and Disney's subscriber fees alone were not covering those costs plus generating profit.
Advertising is a standard revenue model in media. Traditional television has always relied on ads to offset production costs. Disney applied the same model to streaming, offering a cheaper tier funded by advertisers and a premium tier for viewers willing to pay more to avoid ads.
This approach also allows Disney to compete with other streaming services that offer ad-supported tiers, such as Netflix and Max, which introduced their own ad options around the same time.
What happens if you do not upgrade
If you stay on the Basic with ads tier, you will continue to see ads every time you watch. There is no time limit or expiration date on the ad tier—you can use it indefinitely as long as you maintain your subscription and pay the monthly fee.
The ad tier is a permanent option, not a trial or promotional period. Disney will not force you to upgrade to Premium. However, Disney may raise the price of the ad tier in the future, just as it has raised prices on other tiers in the past.
Some viewers find the ad tier acceptable because the monthly cost is significantly lower. Others prefer to upgrade because they value uninterrupted viewing or want to use multiple devices at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the same shows and movies on the ad tier as on Premium?
Yes, both tiers have access to the same content library. The only difference is that the ad tier includes commercials and has limits on simultaneous streaming and downloads. You are not locked out of any titles based on your tier.
Will Disney Plus ever remove the ad-free option?
Disney has not announced plans to remove the Premium tier. However, the company could change its pricing or tier structure in the future. For now, both options remain available, and you can switch between them at any time.
Why am I seeing ads if I thought I paid for ad-free?
Your account was likely moved to the ad tier when your subscription renewed or when you made account changes after December 2022. Check your subscription settings to confirm which tier you are currently on. If you want ad-free viewing, you will need to upgrade to Premium.
Do I have to watch the entire ad before I can continue?
Yes, ads on Disney Plus are not skippable. You must watch them in full before the content resumes. The ads typically last 15 to 30 seconds each, and there are usually multiple ad breaks per episode or movie.
Is the ad tier cheaper in other countries?
Pricing varies by country and region. Some countries have different tier options or pricing structures than the United States. Check your account settings or Disney Plus's website for your region to see the current pricing and available tiers.