Disney+ is set to become the next great free streaming app ‣ Diverse Daily

Though it is one of the biggest streaming services on the market, Disney+ continues to reinvent itself. Since launching in 2019, Disney+ has grown by offering exclusive TV shows from the Star Wars franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It has also presented content from brands like ESPN and National Geographic, ensuring a wide variety of programs that appeal to different users.

While Disney+ offers a massive selection of content for a monthly fee, the House of Mouse will make the platform even bigger and more accessible. According to Business Insider, Disney has revealed plans to introduce a free tier to its flagship streaming service. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro hopes to make Disney+ the company’s “digital centerpiece” and become more competitive with paid streamers, YouTube, and social media.

This plan will add 24/7 FAST channels that stream free, ad-supported content, similar to offerings on platforms like Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel. Disney+ already offers channels for paid subscribers focused on categories like live news and live sports. However, users can only enter the program while it is streaming without starting from the beginning.

These free channels are just the tip of the iceberg. Disney+ is set to undergo major changes in the coming months, offering more quality content and streaming opportunities to users.

What other updates are coming to Disney+?

Stream free channels, creator content, and more

Beyond free channels, Disney+ will add several updates to its streaming selection. The platform will embrace short-form vertical content, adding 500 new vertical clips each day by the end of the next fiscal quarter, which ends in early April. At this point, the platform aims for about 150 new clips every day. In addition, each quarter will add new content categories, including sports highlights, news segments, and short-form micro series.

Disney+ will offer “content sampling,” allowing users to stream certain titles without a paid subscription. The platform will also expand its livestreaming opportunities for programs like the 2027 Super Bowl. This February, users will be able to watch the big game in 4K. Starting in early 2027, Disney+ will even introduce creator content, continuing Disney’s agreement with TikTok to bring user-generated videos onto the platform.

On top of all that, Disney+ is expected to continue its merger with Hulu, as part of its multi-phase “Project Gemini” effort. Disney+ already offers customers bundles that include subscriptions to Hulu. However, the platform is expected to reach “One App Milestones” in its merger throughout the fourth fiscal quarter, which runs from early July to early October.

Business Insider reported that the merger is all part of Disney’s plan to build one “super app,” where users can play games and buy merchandise to increase time spent on the platform and reduce the likelihood of users canceling their subscriptions. Though the merger was originally scheduled to finish by the end of 2026, a final completion date has yet to be announced.

How can I stream Disney+?

Watch Disney’s digital library from your browser or device

While we wait for Disney+ to introduce free channels and content to its digital library, you can get a head start with a paid subscription today. Just go to the Disney+ website in your browser and select the streaming plan you want. Right now, the cheapest bundle, which offers both Disney+ and Hulu, costs $11.99 per month. The premium version of this bundle, which lets you stream without ads, costs $19.99 per month.

You can also access Disney+ from the official app on iOS and Android phones/tablets, or from smart TVs or streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Chromecast.