# Disney+ expands free tier, overhauls service > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/streaming-profitability-and-fast-channel-growth > Updated: 2026-07-30T15:32:30.000Z. Sources: 82. Developments: 12. Disney+ launched a free, ad‑supported pilot in Mexico on 11 July 2026 and introduced summer price cuts for all tiers in several European markets on 15 July. Internal discussions led by chief product officer Adam Smith continue to evaluate a broader free tier, citing the U.S. free‑streaming share reaching 18.6% in April 2026. The company also announced the Korean‑Japanese drama “Merryberry Love,” slated for Disney+ Star in October 2026, underscoring its cross‑border original‑content push. In the United States, Disney+ rolled out new bundles, including a six‑month ad‑supported Disney+ + Hulu package at $11.99/month and an ad‑free bundle at $17.99/month, while expanding partnerships with HBO Max. Further promotional activity included a public “Hulu on Disney+ Summer Festival” in Munich. On 30 July 2026 Disney announced a deep technical overhaul to narrow the gap with Netflix and YouTube. The revamp integrates Hulu and ESPN libraries, upgrades recommendation algorithms, adds vertical‑video formats, expands sports‑rights acquisitions in Latin America and Australia, and boosts local productions, particularly in South Korea. The changes lifted U.S. viewing time by 21%, delivered Disney+’s strongest month of viewership in March, and kept churn around 3%, positioning the service as a comprehensive hub for Disney’s entertainment ecosystem. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-30: Disney+ overhauls service to compete with Netflix and YouTube Disney is revamping Disney+ with Hulu/ESPN integration, smarter recommendations, vertical video and expanded sports rights to better rival Netflix and YouTube, boosting US viewership by 21% and keeping churn at 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-overhauls-service-to-compete-with-netflix-and-youtube ### 2026-07-23: Disney+ Explores Free Tier and Announces New Korean‑Japan Drama for 2026 Disney is testing a free ad‑supported Disney+ tier and will stream the new Korean‑Japan drama “Merryberry Love” exclusively from October 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-explores-free-tier-and-announces-new-koreanjapan-drama-for-2026 ### 2026-07-20: Disney+ updates subscription cancellation steps and launches new bundle offers Disney+ outlines a simple web‑based cancellation process and rolls out July 2026 bundle deals, including a six‑month ad‑supported Disney+ + Hulu plan for $11.99/month. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-updates-subscription-cancellation-steps-and-launches-new-bundle-offers ### 2026-07-20: Disney+ Considers Free Ad‑Supported Subscription Tier Disney+ is evaluating a free, ad‑supported tier, with internal talks led by product chief Adam Smith and CEO Josh D’Amaro, as competition from FAST services grows and subscription prices rise. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-tv-offers-free-month-trial-as-disney-plus-mulls-adsupported-tier ### 2026-07-19: Disney+ launches Hulu Summer Festival in Munich Disney+ hosts a free Hulu‑themed summer festival in Munich from July 21–August 2, 2026, featuring six interactive gaming stations based on popular series and prize‑draw stamps for a Disneyland Paris trip and … 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-launches-hulu-summer-festival-in-munich ### 2026-07-15: Disney+ launches three‑month summer price cut across all subscription plans Disney+ offers a three‑month summer discount (July 15‑28 2026) dropping all plans to €4.99‑€10.99 before reverting to regular rates, available in multiple countries. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-cuts-subscription-prices-across-all-plans-for-summer-promotion ### 2026-07-12: Disney+ Considers Introducing a Free, Ad‑Supported Tier Disney is weighing a free, ad‑supported Disney+ tier to attract viewers amid rising subscription fees and competition from free platforms, though no timeline or content details have been confirmed. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-weighs-launch-of-free-adsupported-tier ### 2026-07-11: Disney+ launches free tier in Mexico to counter TikTok and YouTube Disney+ adds a free tier in Mexico to compete with TikTok and YouTube, seeking to grow its user base. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-launches-free-tier-in-mexico-to-counter-tiktok-and-youtube ### 2026-07-10: Disney+ Mulls Free Ad‑Supported Tier to Counter YouTube Disney is weighing a free, ad‑supported Disney+ tier to win back viewers from YouTube and other free platforms, amid rising U.S. ad‑supported streaming share. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-evaluates-free-adsupported-tier-while-keeping-subscription-for-all-users ### 2026-06-12: Netflix and Disney+ roll out ad‑supported streaming plans in Germany Netflix and Disney+ introduced lower‑priced ad‑supported subscription tiers in Germany, offering full libraries with limited ads and reduced features compared to premium plans. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-and-disney-roll-out-adsupported-streaming-plans-in-germany ### 2026-06-08: RTL Group expands digital footprint with ntv Sport launch and RTL+ streaming growth RTL Group adds the ntv Sport vertical for the World Cup and sees RTL+ VOD usage rise 14.2 % in May, reaching 11.27 million users. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rtl-group-expands-digital-footprint-with-ntv-sport-launch-and-rtl-streaming-growth ### 2026-05-28: Disney and RTLZwei expand streaming profitability and FAST channel offerings Disney targets streaming profit with new pricing, ad tiers and ESPN's digital sports shift, while RTLZwei adds FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus to boost CTV reach and ad revenue. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-and-rtlzwei-expand-streaming-profitability-and-fast-channel-offerings --- Cite as: Disney+ expands free tier, overhauls service. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/streaming-profitability-and-fast-channel-growth