Disney's YouTube Veteran Pitches Free Tier as Streaming Rivalry Intensifies

Adam Smith, Disney's chief product officer and former YouTube executive, raised a free ad-supported Disney+ tier during a company town hall on Thursday, according to Business Insider. The discussion reflects YouTube's growing share of TV viewing and suggests Disney is reconsidering its subscription-first strategy. Smith joined Disney in August from YouTube, where he worked on ad platforms and recommendation systems. No details on scope or launch timeline are available; Disney declined to comment.