Soon, things will be easier for audiences when it comes to streaming on some of the biggest apps. On Disney’s Q2 earnings call today, CEO Bob Iger said a plan for later this year is moving for Hulu content to merge with Disney Plus. This will create a “one-app experience” for U.S. subscribers of the two streaming services.
Iger emphasized that ESPN Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus will remain “standalone options.” The goal is part of a larger plan to serve both advertisers and subscribers. For the CEO, it will give “a more unified streaming experience” by having flagship content from one streamer on the other. It also goes with the company’s plan to expand the Disney-branded service, which launched in 2019.
Disney Plus To See Merge of Content From Hulu by the End of 2023
The company plans on increasing the price of Disney Plus at some point. Iger did not specify where the prices would land. Its ad-free tier is currently $10.99 a month, and its ad-supported tier is $7.99 a month.
Back in February, the sale of Hulu was put into question, but this latest move to sew it into the fabric of Disney Plus signals decisions are being made. Back in February, Iger said that “everything was on the table” regarding its sale to co-owner Comcast.
While Disney Plus is known for its celebrity-focused shows, big-budget spectacles from Marvel and Lucasfilm, and more, Hulu will have plenty to offer. For the most part, Hulu has more mature content. While the Disney-named service has some R-rated films, its show side is relatively mild compared to Hulu’s flagships with The Bear and Handmaid’s Tale. Along with other major shows, it would greatly expand the audiences it could serve by having the two apps in a single space for people who have subscribed to both.
