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Disney+: New user agreement allows ads before movies in all subscriptions

509 points · 372 comments · DeepLogin

  1. semiquaver · · focus · HN ↗
    Did anyone actually read the linked wiki in full? It’s basically saying “if there are embedded ads in certain live (likely sports) content we carry you may see them even on an ad-free plan because we don’t have an alternative. Also we might try to promote different tiers of Disney+ itself within the app so to the extent you see that as an ad, that’s an exception to ‘ad-free’”

    I’m all for consumer awareness but I’m begging everyone to stop freaking out over prosaic non-issues like this.

    1. amelius · · focus · HN ↗
      Why can't they remove the embedded ads with AI?

      Sheesh ... they're a big company. This should be easy.

      1. basisword · · focus · HN ↗
        If you're talking about sports stuff:

        1. Now you just have a blank screen. Sure some people might like that but others will think there's an issue with the stream.

        2. They're purchasing the rights to show the sports stuff, not actually producing it themselves and removing the ads would make the cost of the rights astronomical.

        Even when expensive linear TV packages were the norm, they still came with ads. With live TV paying has never negated the need for ads.

        1. oivey · · focus · HN ↗
          1. There doesn’t have to be a blank screen. Major League Baseball’s streaming service, for example, plays highlights or a placeholder video saying a commercial break is in progress.

          2. What? They own ESPN which is producing the content, right?

          Baseball literally has an ad-free tier for its live streaming service. I’m sure it’s not the only live service that does.

          None of your points seem well considered. Why run interference for these companies?

          1. duckmysick · · focus · HN ↗
            I'm not familiar with MLB, only with NBA. But even their "ad-free" really isn't - there are still ad banners inside the arenas, on the court itself, and on the jerseys, the announcers often read ads ("this segment was brought to you by ..."), and if there is arena feed during the regular breaks, the in-arena events like a half-court shot are often sponsored as well. Plus there's standard service ads that announce next games.

            Unless MLB blurs/bleeps all of these, it's not really ad-free.

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