For years, Netflix and Disney+ have stood as some of the most popular streaming services around. The only main barrier to entry is the cost of subscription, which the former has attempted to resolve through a cheaper, ad-supported tier next year. But with growing pressure from the king of streaming, YouTube, could there be a push for a completely-free option?
Currently, the cheapest Disney+ subscription you can get in the Philippines stands at PHP 289/month. That’s the basic version for viewing on one screen at a time. A Premium subscription for four screens bumps up to PHP 599/month.
Netflix ranges from PHP 169 (Mobile) to PHP 619 (Premium). Of course, others use account-sharing magic to sell for much cheaper.
Still, cost is cost. With the economy nowadays, budget spent on entertainment is always the first to go. Thus, Disney Chief Product and Technology Officer, Adam Smith mentioned the possibility of a Disney+ free tier in an internal speech. No sure promises, but it’s a foot in the door.
Netflix and other streaming services have also done the same. It could work in select markets where a free tier could significantly boost revenue.
The ad-supported tier of Netflix (that is due to come next year to the PH) gives about 4-5 minutes of ads per hour of content. It’s been popular in the US so far, with approximately 30% of subscribers on the ad-free program.
A free tier could push that to double or triple – meaning 15 minutes of ads per hour, at most.
Would that still entice you to watch?
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