Does Disney Own Hulu? Is Hulu Free With Disney Plus?
by Mathelene
Updated Sep 07, 2023
Does Disney Own Hulu?
Yes, Disney owns a significant majority of Hulu, with a 67% ownership stake, while Comcast holds the remaining 33%. This ownership structure emerged after Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, solidifying their control of Hulu. Disney plans to take complete ownership of Hulu in 2024, making it the sole owner.
Disney's interest in Hulu goes beyond ownership; they aim to leverage the platform for advertising opportunities. Hulu has already generated substantial ad revenue, and Disney sees it as a key medium to reach a younger, more engaged audience compared to traditional TV. This focus on targeted advertising suggests that Hulu's role in Disney's media portfolio will continue to expand.
Hulu retains its identity as a hub for a variety of content, including original shows and programming from other networks. The Disney Bundle, which combines Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu, offers consumers a comprehensive streaming package. While there were hints of international expansion, Disney's emphasis has shifted to promoting the Star brand for global markets, but within the United States, Disney's ownership of Hulu is set to become more prominent, further integrating it into its media strategy.
Is Hulu Free With Disney Plus?
No, Hulu is not included for free with Disney Plus, but it can be bundled together with Disney Plus and ESPN+ at an additional cost. This bundle, known as the Disney Bundle, offers Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ for a monthly fee. The price varies depending on whether you choose the ad-supported version or the ad-free version of Hulu.
You have the option to the Trio Premium package within the Disney Bundle that provides Disney Plus (without ads), Hulu (without ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) for a higher monthly fee. While the Disney Bundle offers a cost-effective way to access these services together, it's important to note that Hulu is not free with Disney Plus; it's an additional service available through this bundle.
How Much Does Disney Plus Cost?
Disney Plus with ads (monthly)
$8/month
$8/month
Disney Plus ad-free (monthly)
$11/month
$14/month
Disney Plus ad-free (annual)
$110/year
$140/year
Disney Plus (ads) and Hulu (ads)
$10/month
$10/month
Disney Plus (ads), Hulu (ads), and ESPN Plus
$13/month
$15/month
Disney Plus (ad-free) and Hulu (ad-free)
$20/month
$20/month
Disney Plus (ad-free), Hulu (ad-free), and ESPN Plus
$20/month
$25/month
Disney Plus (ads), Hulu + Live TV (ads), and ESPN Plus
$70/month
$77/month
Disney Plus (ad-free), Hulu + Live TV (ad-free), and ESPN Plus
$83/month
$90/month
Disney Plus Plan
Price (Before October 12)
Price (Starting October 12)
Disney Bundle Plans
There are three Disney Bundle Plans available. The plans are listed below:
Disney Bundle Duo Basic:
Disney Bundle Trio Basic:
Disney Bundle Trio Premium:
Hulu
Hulu, pronounced as "hoo-loo," is a subscription-based American streaming service primarily owned by The Walt Disney Company, with Comcast's NBCUniversal holding a minority share. It made its debut on October 29, 2007, and boasts an extensive content library, including movies and TV series from various studios such as 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Disney Television Studios, ABC, Freeform, and FX Networks, alongside original Hulu programming.
Initially, Hulu was established as a collaborative effort between News Corporation, NBC Universal, Providence Equity, and later The Walt Disney Company. It served as a platform for viewers to access recent episodes of television series from these networks. In 2010, Hulu introduced a subscription service called "Hulu Plus," offering full seasons of shows and immediate access to new episodes from various partners.
Furthermore, in 2017, Hulu expanded its offerings by launching "Hulu with Live TV," an over-the-top live TV service featuring broadcast channels. While Hulu briefly ventured into international markets, notably Japan in 2011, it later refocused on its domestic operations, with Hulu Japan being spun off and acquired by Nippon TV in 2014.
Disney Plus
Disney+ is an American subscription-based streaming service operated by The Walt Disney Company's Disney Entertainment division. Launched on November 12, 2019, in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, it has since expanded to various regions worldwide. Disney+ primarily offers a vast collection of films and TV series produced by The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Television.
It features dedicated sections for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and, in certain regions, Star. The technology behind Disney+ was developed by Disney Streaming Services, originally established as BAMTech in 2015 and later acquired by Disney, leading to the creation of Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International. As part of a corporate restructuring in preparation for Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney gained a controlling stake in BAMTech.
Disney+ emerged following the launch of ESPN+ in 2018 and the conclusion of Disney's distribution deal with Netflix in 2019. The platform's exclusive content production began in late 2017. Despite some technical challenges and content modifications, Disney+ received positive feedback upon its debut, amassing ten million subscribers on its first day. It has continued to expand its availability across multiple continents, becoming a prominent player in the streaming service industry.
Does Disney Own Hulu? - FAQs
Hulu is primarily owned by The Walt Disney Company, which holds a 67% ownership stake. Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, owns the remaining 33% of Hulu.
No, Hulu is not included for free with Disney Plus. However, you can bundle Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ together at an additional cost, known as the Disney Bundle.
Disney's ownership in Hulu increased gradually. They acquired a controlling stake in Hulu in 2019 through the acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Disney plans to take complete control of Hulu in 2024.
Disney intends to use Hulu as a platform for targeted advertising to reach a younger, more engaged audience. They are also integrating Hulu with their other assets, such as FX on Hulu, and expanding its content offerings.
Yes, you can get an ad-free plan for Hulu with the Disney Bundle, but it's available at an additional cost.