During Disney’s Q2 2023 earnings call, CEO Bob Iger announced an exciting development in the company’s streaming business. Disney will be rolling out a new one-app experience that combines the content of Disney+ and Hulu. The new app is set to be released by the end of 2023. While the libraries of both streaming services will be merged in the new app, Disney+ and Hulu will still be offered as separate standalone options.
Bob Iger emphasized that Disney will continue to provide Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ as standalone options. The integration of Disney+ and Hulu into a single app is seen as a logical progression of their direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings. This move aims to offer advertisers greater opportunities and provide bundle subscribers with access to more robust and streamlined content. The ultimate goal is to create a more unified streaming experience for the audience.
It’s worth noting that there are currently no plans to include ESPN+ in the new app. The announcement about the integration of Disney+ and Hulu came in conjunction with the news that Disney+ experienced a loss of 4 million subscribers in the latest quarter. As for the existing bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, there may be some uncertainty about how subscriptions will transfer over once the new app is launched later this year.
Overall, the combination of Disney+ and Hulu into a single app reflects Disney’s strategy to enhance their streaming offerings, improve audience engagement, and create a more seamless and comprehensive streaming experience for viewers.
