Disney Weighs Free FAST Channels as Content Spend Grows and Costs Trim
TL;DR
Disney is exploring a free, ad-supported FAST channel product to broaden its reach to price-sensitive viewers, boost ad revenue, and potentially help grow Disney+ subscribers. CFO Hugh Johnston said content spending will be about $24 billion this year, with international growth viewed as a key opportunity. At the same time, Disney is tightening operations—pursuing speed, agility and meaningful cost reductions in labor and SG&A after recent layoffs—while maintaining shareholder returns through dividends and a large buyback funded by redirected OpenAI investment and an A&E deal.
- Disney Execs On Exploring FAST Channels, Content Spending, Cutting Costs Deadline
- Disney Looking to Launch Free Streaming Channels as CEO Josh D’Amaro Doubles Down on the Streaming Biz Variety
- Disney weighs free ad-supported streaming, says it has sold out Super Bowl ad spots cnbc.com
- Disney says it’s ‘exploring’ adding a free tier to Disney Plus The Verge
- Disney Is “Exploring” Launching Its Own FAST Offering hollywoodreporter.com
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