Skip to main content

Here’s why Disney’s Hulu takeover won’t matter for a while

Disney and Comcast announced that Disney will take full control of Hulu effective immediately. For Disney, that’s a big win. During an investor’s presentation in April, Disney championed Hulu as one of the cornerstones of its upcoming streaming offensive, alongside ESPN Plus and the upcoming Disney Plus.

So, what does that mean for TV buffs and Hulu subscribers? Not as much as you would think. While there is reason to be concerned that Disney is slowly gobbling up every major property in the entertainment industry, Hulu will continue to host all of its regular content for the next four years.

Recommended Videos

Per the terms of Disney and Comcast’s deal, NBCUniversal content will remain on Hulu until 2024, at which point Comcast will be able to take its programming elsewhere. Until then, Comcast has agreed to keep NBCUniversal content on Hulu, including its live TV service. Comcast will be allowed to stream some of its shows on NBC’s upcoming streaming platform, too, in exchange for lower rates from Hulu.

Basically, that means that if you use the streaming service to watch NBCUniversal programming like Community, Parks & Recreation, or many of the other great shows on Hulu, you don’t need to worry. They’re not going anywhere — at least, not for a while.

Naturally, all of the Fox programs on Hulu will stay there, too. Disney recently finalized its $71.3 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox, giving it control of every single Fox property. We know that The Simpsons is headed to Disney Plus, but other Fox shows — including series like the X-Men spin-off Legion and comedy Better Things, both of which aired on Fox’s FX networks — will likely remain on Hulu.

Disney’s Fox deal might be a boon for Hulu subscribers. In the past, Disney has said that Fox’s R-rated fare, like the Deadpool flicks, will reside on Hulu, not the family-friendly Disney Plus.

The big mystery is what is going to happen in 2024 when Comcast can sell it 33% stake in Hulu to Disney for a minimum of $5.8 billion and take its programming elsewhere. By then, both Disney Plus and NBC’s streaming platforms should be in full swing, and it’ll be interesting to see how Disney plans to replace NBCUniversal’s vast library. That’s a question for the future, however. 

Chris Gates
Former Digital Trends Contributor
<a href="https://kecsukorejo.kendalkab.go.id/asset/-/situs-slot-resmi/">situs slot resmi</a>
Sling TV vs. Hulu Plus Live TV
The Kids category on Sling TV.

The Kids section on Sling TV. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

This is one of those comparisons that may, on paper, seem simple enough. Sling TV is the third-largest live streaming service in the U.S. Hulu Plus Live TV is No. 2 and a good bit more expensive upfront.

Read more
You can now watch Hulu inside the Disney+ app
Disney+ homescreen featuring Hulu content.

After a limited beta launch in late 2023, Hulu content is now officially available via the Disney+ app for those who subscribe to both services via the Disney Bundle, according to Disney. To mark the occasion, the Disney+ app icon has been given a new Hulu-esque greenish hue that the company calls "Aurora," which replaces the previous blue background.

With the launch, bundle subscribers now have access to Hulu content throughout the Disney+ app, including discovery areas like Continue Watching and recommendations.

Read more
Former Apple exec joins upcoming sports streaming service as CEO
Pete Distad, CEO of the new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Former Hulu and Apple executive Pete Distad will serve as CEO of the new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Handout photo

It doesn't have a name. It doesn't have a launch date. (And if you already subscribe to a streaming service like YouTube TV, this really isn't for you anyway.) But the upcoming super sports streaming service that combines the sports you'd find from Disney (think ESPN and ABC), Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery now has someone in charge.

Read more