Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the company plans to combine Hulu and Disney+ programming into one app before the end of the year.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the plan is to roll out a new app that includes content from both services, with users needing separate subscriptions for each platform.
“While we continue to offer Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ as standalone options, this is a logical progression of our DTC offerings that will provide greater opportunities for advertisers, while giving bundle subscribers access to more robust and streamlined content, resulting in greater audience engagement and ultimately leading to a more unified streaming experience,” Iger said during Disney’s fiscal second-quarter earnings call.
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ have been available as discounted bundle subscriptions since 2020, but users will soon be able to watch content from all three subscriptions without switching to different apps. “The advertising potential of this combined platform is incredibly exciting,” Iger added.
Having content from all three banners will allow the company to provide a “more unified streaming experience,” the CEO explained.
During the call, Iger also said that Disney’s purchase of Comcast’s stake in Hulu hasn’t “been fully determined.” The company holds a majority stake in Hulu, while Comcast owns a third. Next year, Comcast could force Disney to buy its remaining stake.
In addition to the news of an app offering all of Disney’s streaming content, Iger said there are plans to increase the cost of the ad-free tier of Disney+, which currently costs $10.99 a month. As reported by Vulture, Disney+ saw a loss of four million subscribers during the last fiscal year.
