In March, the Disney+ and the Hulu launched a new streaming package that put both apps in the same place. However, things took an unexpected turn. The Hollywood Reporter just shared that Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up on a new bundle that would pair Disney+ and Hulu with Max.
According to the report, pricing has not yet been announced, but the package is expected to launch this summer in the US.
Currently, all three streaming sites offer ad-supported plans, as well as premium ad-free plans at different price points. THR claims that Disney and Warner Bros. are calling the package the “best value in entertainment.”
“On the heels of the highly successful launch of Hulu on Disney+, this new bundle with Max will offer subscribers even more choice and value,” said Joe Earley, president of direct-to-consumer at Disney Entertainment, in a statement. “This incredible new partnership puts subscribers first by giving them access to blockbuster films, originals and three huge libraries of the best brands and entertainment streaming today.”
“This new offering offers consumers the largest collection of entertainment at the best value in streaming and will help drive more subscribers and much stronger retention,” added JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and gaming, Warner Bros. “Delivering this unprecedented entertainment value to fans of all the complementary genres that these three services offer represents a powerful new roadmap for the future of the industry.”
After a few months of experiencing problems, the number of subscribers to the Disney+ grew considerably in this last quarter, as reported by the company itself. Walt Disney Company.
The information indicates that the streaming now has 153.6 million of users – a significant increase when compared to 149.6 million subscribers of the last quarter.
It is noted that, in North America, the service raised more than six million new users, the result of a firm partnership with pay television channels. However, numbers in Europe and Southeast Asia suffered declines due to rising subscription prices.
Check out the numbers below (via Disney+ Brazil):
Don’t forget to watch:
- Disney+ Global – Before: 149.6 – After: 153.6
- Disney+ Domestic (US and Canada) – Before: 46.1 – After: 54
- Disney+ International excluding Disney+ Hotstar+ – Before: 65.2 – After: 63.6
- Disney+ Core (excluding Hotstar) – Before: 111.3 – After: 117.6
- Disney+Hotstar – Before: 38.3 – After: 36
- ESPN+ (US only) – Before: 25.2 – After: 24.8
- Hulu (US Only) – Before: 49.7 – After: 50.2
The information also indicates that the platform made a profit of US$47 million in the last quarter – and the positive result is the corollary of a high-impact strategy that included reducing employees, increasing prices and reducing original content.
In an official statement, the CEO Bob Iger stated that:
“Our solid performance in the second quarter […] reiterates that we are fulfilling strategic priorities and aiming for the future. Our results were largely driven by our Experiences segment, as well as streaming. It is important to highlight that streaming entertainment was profitable for the quarter, and we remain on track to achieve profitability in our streaming services for the fourth quarter.”
Such expectations aim for strong revenue at the end of 2024, even if projections for the next quarter are more tepid.
