Disney+ will launch an ad-supported subscription plan in Australia and New Zealand, giving viewers a lower-priced option and opening new inventory for local advertisers.
Disney+ confirmed to Mediaweek that it will launch Standard with Ads in Australia and New Zealand from Tuesday this week at $9.99/month.
The new tier will sit alongside Disney+’s existing Standard and Premium plans.
What is changing on Disney+?
The new plan will offer access to Disney+ content, including TV shows, films, Originals and live ESPN sports, with advertising included. It will stream in full HD 1080p, allow two concurrent streams, and will not include downloads.
The existing Standard and Premium tiers will remain, with ad-free movies and series, subject to Disney’s note that ads may still appear in live and linear programming, sport, trailers, promotional content, sponsorship and similar placements.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, said the new tier was designed to broaden the platform’s appeal.
“We’re excited to soon be launching an ad-supported Disney+ offering in Australia and New Zealand,” Watson-Wheeler said. “This new plan will provide more choice, flexibility and value to subscribers.”
She added that the move would also create a new avenue for brands. “For the first time, advertisers and partners will have the opportunity to connect with our general entertainment audiences who choose ads as part of the world-class films and TV series they enjoy from us.”
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President & Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler
Why Disney is adding a cheaper tier
The launch brings Disney+ into line with other streamers that now offer lower-cost advertising plans to attract more price-conscious viewers. According to the AFR, Watson-Wheeler said the cheaper entry point could also make Disney+ easier to bundle through corporate partnerships and customer loyalty programs.
“A low price point in our offering certainly makes it easier for our partners to include Disney+ as an offer or a bundle,” she told the publication.
OzTAM figures cited by the publication showed Disney+ accounted for 2.9 per cent of all television set viewing in the final three months of 2025, ahead of Prime Video at 2.2 per cent but behind Netflix at 10.7 per cent and YouTube at 10.6 per cent.
Advertising and audience strategy
Disney said the new local ad-supported product will combine its film, TV, and sports offerings with its proprietary advertising technology and audience-targeting tools. In Australia and New Zealand, advertising sales for Disney+ and ESPN are handled by Disney’s local advertising team.
Watson-Wheeler also used the announcement to push back on the idea that Disney+ is mainly a family product. In the AFR interview, she said the largest share of viewing on the platform comes from general entertainment via Hulu content, with sports helping round out the service.
That broader positioning matters commercially as Disney+ looks to grow both its subscriber base and advertising demand. The platform expanded its sports footprint in Australia after integrating ESPN, which holds rights to the NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball.
Disney said parental controls will remain a core part of the service across all tiers. Subscribers can set access limits for mature content, create PIN-protected profiles, and use Junior Mode profiles for younger viewers.