Disney+ launches cheaper plan with ads — but not on Roku

By Phil Nickinson December 8, 2022

The new advertising-based tier of Disney+ launches today. And while it’s not exactly the sort of thing that should demand a whole lot of explanation — it’s a little less expensive at $8 a month, but also has ads — there is one important thing that should be noted.

This new ad-based tier isn’t available if you’re on Roku. And that’s kind of a big deal since Roku is the largest streaming platform in the U.S. and the second largest in the rest of the world.

Disney Plus on Roku. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Disney+ help pages spell it out thusly: “Disney+ Basic is not currently available on Roku devices. This means that viewers are unable to sign up for this plan on Roku devices or stream Disney+ on Roku devices if viewers have this plan or the Disney Bundle Duo Basic or Trio Basic.”

In other words, if it has ads, it’s not currently available on Roku.

There are a couple of options, however. You can switch to one of the more-expensive ad-free plans, or use a different device to watch. While that’s probably not a whole lot of consolation, it’s what you’ve got.

As for why any of this is a thing in the first place? It almost certainly comes down to money. Roku doesn’t allow Disney+ (or any other service) to use its platform from the bottom of its heart. Disney+ selling ads against its streaming service means more money for Disney, and Roku wants its cut. This sort of thing isn’t new, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen services launch or update with Roku users being left out, at least temporarily.

“Today’s launch marks a milestone moment for Disney+ and puts consumer choice at the forefront,” Michael Paull, president of Direct to Consumer for Disney, said in a press release. “With these new ad-supported offerings, we’re able to deliver greater flexibility for consumers to enjoy the full breadth and depth of incredible storytelling from The Walt Disney Company.”

Chances are it’ll all work out once the folks in suits get the math to a point where everyone can be happy with it. It’s just that in the meantime, the customers are caught in the middle.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Section Editor, Audio/Video

Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…

Audio / Video

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ get new pricing schemes this fall

Disney Plus on Roku.

Disney+ — and along with it, fellow Disney-owned streaming services Hulu and ESPN+ — have never had the simplest of pricing schemes. And this fall they're going to get a little more complex -- and more expensive. And more countries are getting more options.

First up: Canada and some European nations will get the ad-supported option for Disney+ starting November 1, 2023. It'll run $8 in the former, and 5 pounds or 6 euros in the latter. Current subscribers will stay in the ad-free plan unless they actively decide to switch.

Entertainment

What is Disney Plus: plans, price, and everything else you should know

The Disney Plus app interface on a smart TV.

Despite launching in November of 2019, Disney Plus has become a leading stalwart in the streaming service space. Boasting one of the best libraries of movies and TV shows around -- including some of the best original series from the likes of the MCU and Star Wars franchises -- Disney+ has shot up to 129.8 million subscribers worldwide as of February 2022. That puts it toe to toe with the likes of Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and others.

Despite a library that isn't quite as large as Netflix, Disney+ makes up for it in quality. It's the exclusive streaming platform for a significant portion of Disney's massive content archive and the only place to see new originals like Andor, Obi-wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, Hawkeye, and WandaVision. Plus, with content from National Geographic and deals that can also net you Hulu and ESPN+ for one price, Disney+ is a formidable service.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?