Disney is preparing to bring the ad-supported subscription option for its Disney+ streaming service to several new markets, including Canada.
The plan will be available in Canada beginning on Nov. 1, alongside launches in the U.K., France, Germany, Sweden, Italy and other countries in Europe.
In Canada, the Standard with Ads plan will cost $7.99 monthly, with streaming in 1080p resolution on up to two devices concurrently. Also on Nov. 1, Disney+ will launch a new Standard plan at $11.99 monthly, offering the same features without ads and the added capability of being able to download content. Prices for the existing plan, which will be renamed Disney+ Premium, are set to increase to $14.99 monthly, offering streaming in 4K on up to four devices concurrently.
Both the Standard and Premium plans also offer discounts for users who subscribe on an annual basis.
Disney did not provide information about ad load, targeting capabilities or any Canadian advertisers that have already signed on, though more details are expected in the near future.
“The launch of our ad-supported plan demonstrates the importance of providing subscribers with value and choice,” said Jason Badal, VP and general manager for Disney+ in Canada. “We are excited to bring this offering to Canadians and to our advertising partners across the country.”
Disney+ launched ad-supported tier in the U.S. in December. In the company’s third quarter earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Bob Iger said the company has 3.3 million ad-supported subscribers, with 40% of new Disney+ sign-ups going to the tier.
While ad revenue for Disney+ was down in Q3 due to “a challenging ad market,” advertising was cited as the reason it was able to increase the average revenue per user by 2% versus the previous quarter. Total Disney+ subscribers in Canada and the U.S. increased by 1.5 million year-over-year in Q3, but were down 300,000 compared to the previous quarter.
Last month, Bell Media’s Crave launched a pair of ad-supported subscriptions: a $9.99 Basic plan that allows for 720p streaming on a single device, and a $14.99 Standard plan that allows for 4K streaming on up to four devices concurrently. Netflix’s ad supported tier, which launched in Canada late last year, costs $5.99 per month, with 1080p streams on up to two devices concurrently.