Disney reportedly considering a free Disney+ tier

Over the past decade, streaming services have steadily raised prices as companies shift from prioritizing subscriber growth to focusing on profitability. A look at some of the most notable price hikes in the US:
 

Little wonder that viewers are increasingly migrating to free platforms such as YouTube. In this context, Business Insider reports that Disney is mulling a way to offer part of its Disney+ library free of charge. Exactly what kind of free content would be offered there remains unclear, but the company's push into vertical video earlier this year, mixing short-form originals with promo clips, hints at one possibility: bite-sized shows created specifically for a free Disney+ tier.

Free tiers are rare in streaming. Netflix has none. Prime Video's ad-supported option is only "free" if users are already paying for Amazon Prime. Apple occasionally lets non-subscribers watch select season premieres, but otherwise keeps everything behind a paywall. Hence, Disney+ may stand out from the streaming crowd if it launches a genuine free tier with original content. But for now, an official announcement is yet to be made.