Disney Plus switched to an ad-supported plan tier in December 2022
Disney Plus now offers two subscription tiers: one with ads and one without. If you are seeing ads, your account is on the Disney Plus Basic with Ads plan, which costs less per month than the ad-free option. Disney did not add ads to existing accounts automatically — your plan either was changed by someone with access to your account, or you selected the ad tier yourself during a recent sign-up or plan change.
The ad tier exists because Disney needed a lower price point to compete with other streaming services. The Basic with Ads plan costs significantly less than the ad-free Premium plan, so Disney offsets the lower revenue by selling advertising space. This is the same model Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video use.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus offers two plans: Basic with Ads (cheaper, includes commercials) and Premium (more expensive, no ads).
- If ads appeared on your account, check your plan settings to see which tier you are currently on.
- You can switch from the ad tier to the ad-free Premium plan at any time through your account settings.
- Ads appear before, during, and after shows and movies on the Basic with Ads plan, typically 4 to 5 minutes per hour.
- Your payment method and billing date do not change if you switch plans — you will just pay a different monthly amount going forward.
How to check which Disney Plus plan you have
Open the Disney Plus app or website and go to your account settings. Look for "Subscription" or "Plan Details" — this section will clearly state whether you are on Basic with Ads or Premium. If you see "Basic with Ads," that is why commercials are playing.
If you did not choose this plan yourself, someone else with access to your account may have switched it. Disney Plus allows account holders to manage plan changes, so check whether anyone else uses your login. If you share your password with family members, one of them may have downgraded the plan to save money.
The difference between the two plans
The Basic with Ads plan includes commercials before, during, and after content. You will see roughly 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour of viewing. The ads are the same ones you would see on Disney-owned channels like ABC or ESPN. Video quality is capped at 1080p (Full HD), and you can stream on one device at a time.
The Premium plan has no ads, streams in 4K resolution if your device supports it, and allows simultaneous streaming on up to four devices. Premium costs more per month, but you get the full Disney Plus experience without interruptions. Both plans include access to the same shows, movies, and Disney Plus originals — the only differences are ads, video quality, and how many screens can play at once.
How to switch from the ad tier to ad-free viewing
Go to your account settings and select "Subscription" or "Plan Details." You will see an option to upgrade to Premium. Click it, review the new monthly price, and confirm the change. The upgrade takes effect when ready, and you will not see ads on your next viewing session.
Your billing date stays the same. If you were charged on the 15th of each month for the Basic plan, you will be charged on the 15th for Premium — you will just pay the higher amount. You can downgrade back to the ad tier at any time using the same process, though the change will take effect on your next billing date rather than when ready.
Why Disney Plus added an ad tier in the first place
Streaming services lose money when they charge one low price for all subscribers. Disney Plus was losing billions of dollars annually because the subscription fee did not cover the cost of producing and licensing content. Adding a cheaper ad-supported tier lets Disney offer a lower price to price-sensitive customers while making money from advertisers on those accounts.
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video all use the same strategy. The ad tier is not a temporary experiment — it is now a permanent part of how Disney Plus operates. Disney has stated that the ad tier is the primary growth driver for the service, meaning they expect more new subscribers to choose the cheaper option than the premium one.
What ads you will see on the Basic with Ads plan
Ads on Disney Plus are mostly for Disney-owned products: other Disney Plus shows, Disney movies, ESPN content, Hulu, and products sold by Disney partners. You will not see ads for competing streaming services like Netflix or HBO Max. The ads are the same ones that run on ABC, ESPN, and other Disney television channels.
Ad frequency varies by content. Some shows have ads only at the beginning and end, while others have mid-roll breaks like traditional television. You cannot skip ads — they play in full before you can continue watching. The total ad time is roughly 4 to 5 minutes per hour, which is less than traditional broadcast television but more than premium cable.
If you did not choose the ad tier yourself
Check your account email for a notification from Disney. Disney sends an email when a plan change occurs, so look in your inbox and spam folder for messages from Disney Plus. The email will show the date the change happened and who made it (usually "account holder" if you made it, or it may show a family member's name if they changed it).
If you did not authorize the change and no one else in your household made it, contact Disney Plus support through the app or website. Explain that your plan was changed without your permission. Disney can review the change and may restore your previous plan or offer a credit, depending on how long ago the change occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch everything on the ad tier that I can on Premium?
Yes. Both plans have access to the same movies, shows, and originals. The only differences are ads, video quality (1080p vs. 4K), and how many devices can stream at once. You are not locked out of any content because you chose the cheaper plan.
Do I have to watch the entire ad or can I skip it?
You cannot skip ads on Disney Plus. They play in full before content resumes. Some streaming services allow skipping after 5 seconds, but Disney Plus does not offer that option on the Basic with Ads plan.
If I upgrade to Premium, will I get a refund for the rest of my billing cycle?
No. When you upgrade, you pay the Premium price when ready and your billing date stays the same. You do not receive a refund for unused time on the Basic plan. The upgrade takes effect right away, so you stop seeing ads on your next viewing session.
Can I switch back to the ad tier after upgrading to Premium?
Yes. You can downgrade to Basic with Ads at any time through your account settings. The downgrade takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready. You will be charged the lower Basic price on that date.
Why am I seeing ads if I paid for a Premium subscription?
If you have a Premium plan and are seeing ads, there may be a technical glitch. Sign out of the Disney Plus app completely, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in. If ads still appear, contact Disney Plus support — they can verify your plan status and troubleshoot the issue.