Internal Disney presentation reveals its top streaming priorities, from creator content to a free tier
By Google News TV ·
Disney has plans to make big changes to its namesake streamer, Business Insider has learned. Disney+'s priorities for the next year include uploading more vertical video clips, adding creator content, and working on a free tier, according to screenshots of an internal presentation viewed by Business Insider. Tech leaders told employees how they're planning to boost engagement on Disney+ in a town hall late last week.
In the meeting, execs, including VP of product management Dave Lindsay, unveiled Disney's streaming strategy and priorities for the 2027 fiscal year, which began in October. In the town hall, some tech employees also pressed management for details on a possible next round of layoffs.
The leaked slide deck gives one of the clearest views yet into CEO Josh D'Amaro's plan to have Disney+ be the "digital centerpiece" of the company, while making its flagship service more competitive with paid streamers, YouTube, and social media.
According to Nielsen, Disney's streamers accounted for 4.8% of US TV viewership in August — well behind YouTube at 15.8% and Netflix at 7.7%, but more than twice the share of rivals Paramount+ and Peacock.
Here's what's in the works for Disney+ in the next year, according to the presentation: Like other Hollywood giants, Disney is betting on short videos to boost engagement and attract younger viewers hooked on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The Mouse House plans to ramp up to adding 500 vertical clips per day on its streamer by the end of next quarter, which concludes in early April.
The effort is starting this quarter with a goal of about 150 clips a day, the slide deck said. Disney is planning to add "new content types every quarter," the presentation said. These include clips of sports, news, and short-form "micro series" (including micro dramas). It's aiming to integrate creator content starting next quarter, the presentation said.
The company announced a deal with TikTok in early August that would put a curated feed of user-generated content on its streamer. Disney's forthcoming free offering, which Business Insider first reported on in July, was referenced several times in the streaming presentation.
The deck mentioned a "Free Plan" and "the free experience," which it said would include "FAST channel creation" and "content sampling." FAST channels are free, always-on streaming feeds — supported by advertising — popularized by services like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel. Disney+ already has a few always-on channels for paid subscribers, including ones for Disney princesses and Pixar films.
Viewers join in the middle of a show or movie instead of starting on-demand from the beginning. As for "sampling," Disney has discussed making some Disney+ content available without a subscription, Business Insider previously reported. Other media giants, including Paramount+, are considering free streaming tiers to reach new viewers.
Audiences have flocked to free services like Tubi and YouTube as streamers have raised prices. Disney+ will livestream the Super Bowl in the US for the first time in mid-February, which the presentation called a major "tentpole" moment. Peacock, Paramount+, and Tubi have streamed Super Bowl coverage from NBC, CBS, and Fox, respectively.
The company's livestreaming priorities include "live 4K HDR, lower latency, scale, live event monitoring and live content security" to deliver the Big Game to millions of viewers in high-quality, lag-free picture, while protecting against piracy…
Originally published by Google News TV
