Over the weekend, I saw a bit of uproar over Disney+ apparently updating its subscriber agreement to allow ads on its ad-free plans. Like most people, my gut reaction was to cuss out that greedy mouse. But then I dug into the details, and it’s not quite what you think.
I initially saw the news on a Reddit post, which cites this Dexerto article about the change to the subscriber agreement in the U.K. So naturally, I went to see if a similar change happened in Canada.
However, Disney+ Canada hasn’t changed its subscriber agreement in a while. I received an email notice about changes to the subscriber agreement on July 9, 2026, with the changes going into effect on Aug. 9. Interestingly, the current subscriber agreement shown on Disney’s website was updated on June 25, 2026, though it has the same language as the Aug. 9 agreement.
The email I received says the changes clarify details around Disney+ integration with ‘MyDisney,’ changes related to cancellation rights in some provinces, an updated AI policy, and finally, “additional details about our tiers with or without ads.”
What the Disney+ subscriber agreement actually says
Screenshots of the old (top) and new (bottom) Disney+ subscriber agreements.
The email included a handy link to a side-by-side comparison of the old and new subscriber agreement, which I checked for the advertising details. In the old agreement, clause 2h, addresses ads:
“Service Tiers “without ads” are free of commercial interruptions. However, such Service Tiers may still contain limited promotional content, such as brief clips about other content available on any service associated with Disney+, and branded content or sponsorship messaging. In addition, Service Tiers without ads may offer live Disney+ Content or special events (and replays and additional viewings thereof) that contain traditional commercial breaks.”
And here’s the amended clause, now 2j, from the new agreement:
“Service Tiers described as “no ads” or “ad-free” are generally free of commercial interruptions, with certain exceptions that may change from time to time, including where: (i) streaming rights or other limitations require certain Disney+ Content to play with ads; or (ii) ads are served in certain live or linear Disney+ Content or special events (and replays thereof). Additionally, “no ads” or “ad-free” Service Tiers may contain limited promotional content, such as brief clips about bundled or other subscription options (including messages promoting an upgrade thereto) and other content available on any services associated with Disney+, and branded content, product integrations, or sponsorship messaging.”
Both the old and new agreements note that ad-free tiers are “free of commercial interruptions” but outline circumstances where ads may still appear on those tiers. One of the examples outlined in both agreements pertains to live content, which may have ads. The updated subscriber agreement provides more information about when ads might show up for ad-free users, and also details other promotional content that may appear on Disney+.
So, not a whole lot has actually changed here. Disney+ already outlined certain instances where ad-free users might see ads and promotional content, and the updated agreement adds more detail to that clause. And while you could certainly make the argument that ad-free subscribers shouldn’t see any ads or promotional content at all (since that’s what they pay for), the new agreement doesn’t exactly pave the way for Disney to start blasting ad-free users with ads.
Further, the Disney+ support page about ads reiterates the above in slightly different language:
“If you subscribe to Disney+ Standard; Disney+ Premium; Disney+ and Crave Premium Bundle; Disney+ and Crave Premium, TSN Premium Bundle; Disney+ Standard, TSN Premium Bundle; and Disney+ Premium, TSN Premium Bundle, on-demand movies and shows on Disney+ will be generally free of commercial interruption. However, all Disney+ tiers may include promos for Disney+ programs and limited live programs may include ads.”
I think where a lot of the concern stems from is the wording of the email that was sent out to Disney+ users in the U.K. Per Dexerto, the email notes that the subscriber agreement clarifies “that all Service Plans may include: (i) promotional content, (ii) sponsorships, and (iii) advertisements before/after playback of Content and in channels, live/ as-live, special events, and any third-party services content.”
That wording certainly sounds worse, and like ad-free subscribers are about to see a lot more ads. However, it’s not clear if the subscriber agreement itself uses similar language — I attempted to view the U.K. version of the agreement, but it won’t load for me in Canada, even with a VPN.
All this is to say, Canadians probably don’t need to worry too much about seeing ads on their ad-free Disney+ subscription unless they watch a lot of live content.
At least, they don’t have to worry yet. If Disney+ Canada makes changes to the language around ads again, that might change things. But we’ll let you know if it happens.
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