I am grandfathered in with Verizon so I get the Hulu/ESPN+/Disney+ bundle for free. Even so, they do offer it as an add-on for $10 a month, so it does save either way.
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Disney+ and Hulu Merging Into Single App, Beta Coming in December
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I have the Disney+ bundle, including ESPN+ and Hulu ad free. I recently saw on CNBC that every time Disney raises their prices, they lose customers (not rocket science, eh?. And with y'all as my witness, if they charge me more than I'm paying now, I swear, I'll dump it and just go with Hulu ad-free. I only watch The Incredible Dr. Pol and a couple of the Marvel movies and shows. I've seen all the Pols now, and I'll just rent future MCS that I want to see. I only watch the UFC events on ESPN+. I can live without those too.
I see this as a desperation tactic by Disney, whose revenues and market value have declined precipitously since Bob Iger took over (shares are down 28.39% over 5 years. also down 2.6% over 1 year, and 5.02% YTD). I don't see how trying to grow by taking on more debt, as they did with Pixar, MCS and now Hulu, is going to improve that outlook, do you? And of course, there is the political box Gov. DeSantis put them in on the LGBTQ issue. Disavow him or betray their customers and employees? Devil's choice.
I see this as a desperation tactic by Disney, whose revenues and market value have declined precipitously since Bob Iger took over (shares are down 28.39% over 5 years. also down 2.6% over 1 year, and 5.02% YTD). I don't see how trying to grow by taking on more debt, as they did with Pixar, MCS and now Hulu, is going to improve that outlook, do you? And of course, there is the political box Gov. DeSantis put them in on the LGBTQ issue. Disavow him or betray their customers and employees? Devil's choice.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
One big super bundle for a supercalfragalistic bundle price, with special add-on tiers for additional fees.
I hear they are going to re-brand it Disney Yfinity. But Dispectrum is apparently still in the running too.
All the grandfathered plans can be terminated in the re-branding... and will be auto-rolled into the new offering for "the same great price* with a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down."
"We think you'll love it!"
*billed every week now, so same great price in each payment, billed 4.333 times each month.
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Showtime was rolled into all subs when the price went up a few months ago.
I remember when Hulu was announced. Competitor networks fending of govt. oversight and a place to get many old and new shows in one place.
Hulu was always in rough seas, but I did like their live tv package, used that after PlayStation Vue (💔) was killed.
IMO: Hulu was never meant to be owned by 1 corporation with 100% control.
I'm on their annual plan D+, and I cannot wait to see what the new new new price will be in 9 months when my sub runs out 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑+
Hulu was always in rough seas, but I did like their live tv package, used that after PlayStation Vue (💔) was killed.
IMO: Hulu was never meant to be owned by 1 corporation with 100% control.
I'm on their annual plan D+, and I cannot wait to see what the new new new price will be in 9 months when my sub runs out 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑+
I really like Disney+ but not interested in expensive Hulu. So I hope it doesn't nag me to upgrade to expensive Hulu.
I only have HULU and no use for Disney+, so I don't want to pay more so I'll do what most people do, CANCEL IT ALL.
And I hate to beat a dead horse, but if Steve Jobs was still alive, this would all be Apple TV now.
And I hate to beat a dead horse, but if Steve Jobs was still alive, this would all be Apple TV now.
(1) Bob Iger retired as Disney CEO in 2020. He returned to CEO position in late November 2022.
(2) Revenue has not declined "precipitously since Bob Iger took over"... neither during his 1st time as CEO from Oct. 2005, nor during his 2nd stint from Nov. 2022.
Disney Fiscal Year Revenue
FY2009 (ended Oct. 03, 2009) = $36.149 billion
FY2010 (ended Oct. 02, 2010) = $38.063 billion
FY2011 (ended Oct. 01, 2011) = $40.893 billion
FY2012 (ended Sep. 29, 2012) = $42.278 billion
FY2013 (ended Sep. 28, 2013) = $45.041 billion
FY2014 (ended Sep. 27, 2014) = $48.813 billion
FY2015 (ended Oct. 03, 2015) = $52.465 billion
FY2016 (ended Oct. 01, 2016) = $55.632 billion
FY2017 (ended Sep. 30, 2017)= $55.137 billion
FY2018 (ended Sep. 29, 2018) = $59.424 billion
FY2019 (ended Sep. 28, 2019) = $69.607 billion
FY2020 (ended Oct. 03, 2020) = $65.388 billion (decline due to Covid pandemic)
FY2021 (ended Oct. 02, 2021) = $67.418 billion
FY2022 (ended Oct. 01, 2022) = $82.722 billion
FY2023 (ended Sep. 30, 2023) = $88.898 billion
Both parties made a deal in 2019 where Disney has to buy the 33 percent stake in Hulu owned by Comcast. Disney gained majority ownership of Hulu when Disney bought 21st Century Fox in 2019.
As for Disney's purchase of Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel, those have paid off very well for Disney over the years.
Hulu (and Netflix) are the only two profitable streaming services, so Disney acquiring full ownership is not a bad move.
(1) This occurred during Bob Chapek's tenure as CEO, not Bob Igers.
(2) Disney is in no box. The outcome of the lawsuits haven't even been determine yet.
Get your facts straight.
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Every year for Black Friday, Hulu has their basic plan for 1.99 a month for 12 months. I hope this doesn't kill that promotion.
You could deliver it via satellite by putting a dish on the roof of the house with a clear view of the southern sky, and even have a separate box for delivering all of that content!
Once upon a time, "cord cutting" seemed like the way to go.
So much for that. Greedy 🤬!
So much for that. Greedy 🤬!
Lots of Disney hate here. It’s no different than HBO and TLC/other Warner getting smushed into Max.
It’s a good thing overall. Yes, prices are increasing for all streaming services, just like everything else that is increasing in price right now. But from the user perspective, less apps to switch to is a good thing! Max is a great example of an improved experience.
It’s a good thing overall. Yes, prices are increasing for all streaming services, just like everything else that is increasing in price right now. But from the user perspective, less apps to switch to is a good thing! Max is a great example of an improved experience.
It's funny to me that so many posters haven't bothered reading this, and have just posted wild speculation instead.
It's worked like this for non-US subscribers for years now and is no issue at all.
And, as always, if you don't want to watch something you don't have to.
Well if they had 50% revenue sharing at 48m subs, it will take over three years to recoup that $8B.
Good thing I guess, I’ll be able to avoid both just by avoiding only one 😂😂😂
Disney today said that it will soon combine Disney+ and Hulu into one streaming service, with a unified app to be available in a beta capacity next month.
Disney CEO Bob Iger first announced plans to merge Hulu and Disney+ into a single app earlier this year. The app will first be offered to those who subscribe to the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, providing those customers with one app to access all their content. Right now, Disney offers a combined bundle that features Disney+ and Hulu, but subscribers need to download two separate apps. Pricing for the app has not been announced, but the current ad-supported Hulu and Disney+ bundle costs $9.99 per month, while the version without ads costs $19.99 per month.
During today's fourth quarter earnings call, Iger confirmed that Disney is on track to roll out the unified app in the United States starting in December, with an official launch to follow in spring 2024.
Disney earlier this month said that it will pay Comcast over $8 billion to purchase Comcast's Hulu shares, which would see Disney being the sole owner of Hulu and will allow for the combined app.
Disney in October increased the price of both Disney+ and Hulu in an effort to bring in more revenue. Ad-free Disney+ is now priced at $13.99 per month, while ad-free Hulu costs $17.99 per month.
Article Link: Disney+ and Hulu Merging Into Single App, Beta Coming in December
I just flip flop services every month. I'll have Netflix for a month then I'll subscribe to Paramount for a month and flip to Hulu the next month, and whatever else after that. All the services keep your accounts settings(list etc..) on file for at least 3 months with Netflix keeping it up to 10.
That way after 4 months or so when I resubscribe to Netflix, there is a selection of things I want to see and I'm not spending 20 minutes trying to find something to watch. The only app I really have no use for is Disney+, no kids and their original programming sucks for the most part, they have ruined the MCU and Star Wars, not to mention, I don't feel like watching Star Wars for the 100th time.
That way after 4 months or so when I resubscribe to Netflix, there is a selection of things I want to see and I'm not spending 20 minutes trying to find something to watch. The only app I really have no use for is Disney+, no kids and their original programming sucks for the most part, they have ruined the MCU and Star Wars, not to mention, I don't feel like watching Star Wars for the 100th time.