Disney+ Hulu App Projected to Outrank Netflix, Report Claims
By Movieguide® Contributor
Despite the number of original series and movies that Netflix produces, Deadline reports that the combined Disney+ and Hulu app will soon outrank Netflix in both volume and popularity.
According to a report from Ampere Analysis, “One-third of the 100 most popular Q3 titles in their home market were on Disney+ and Hulu, Ampere found, with 17 on the former and 16 on the latter, placing the pair at the top of the popularity pile. Netflix’s figure sits a few lower at 29, with Max in third on 18 and Amazon Prime Video lagging behind on 11. Ampere measures popularity based on key metrics such as volume of interest, web traffic and box office income from major services such as Google, Wikipedia, and IMDb,” Deadline reported.
Ampere analyst Joshua Rustage stated, “With a combined app offering Disney+ and Hulu due to launch in the U.S. in early 2024, its compelling new streaming content offer will surely shake up the status quo.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the combined app:
Disney+ and Hulu’s upcoming merged app is set to launch next month.
“We remain on track to roll out a more unified one-app experience domestically, making extensive general entertainment content available to bundle subscribers via Disney+,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said of the launch.
A beta version of the app is expected to launch in December, with the official launch slated for spring 2024.
“The combined Disney+ and Hulu catalogue will provide one of the most well-rounded and popular offerings in a single platform, upping the content stakes at a time when many are pulling back on content investment,” Rustage added. “Rivals will have to ensure their offerings remain competitive as the battle for viewing time intensifies, especially as the need to pull in advertising dollars is now also central to the streaming mix.”
Analyst Christen Tamisin explained that the combined app is a smart decision for Hulu as “The threat of further popular or critically acclaimed titles leaving Hulu for rival platforms is a concern as engaging content is critical for subscriber retention, especially as the US SVoD market nears saturation. This risk makes the argument for Disney to merge Hulu and Disney+ into a single platform stronger.”
“On the other hand, Disney+ and Hulu’s complementary catalogues mean a combined platform would have a more diverse content offering —akin to other major market players— than the two standalone platforms have currently,” Tamisin added. “While the Disney brand has long been associated with family-friendly content, Hulu has a broader, general-audience appeal, offering a wide range of genres and more adult-targeted titles.”
However, The Verge notes, “The new hub ‘is not a replacement’ for the standalone Hulu or Disney apps, according to Disney, and the two apps will remain ‘as separate offerings.'” The Verge added that those subscribed to a Disney+ and Hulu bundle can now access the combined content.
Movieguide® recently reported:
Disney+ and Hulu’s upcoming merged app is set to launch next month…
“While we will continue to offer Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ as standalone options, this is a logical progression of our [direct-to-consumer] offerings that will provide greater opportunities for advertisers while giving bundle subscribers access to more robust and streamlined content, resulting in greater audience engagement and ultimately leading to a more unified streaming experience,” Iger explained.
Variety reported that Disney is expecting to shell out $8.61 billion to Comcast for its stake in Hulu; Disney already owns the other two-thirds of the streaming service.
“The acquisition of Comcast’s stake in Hulu at fair market value will further Disney’s streaming objectives,” a statement from Disney reads.
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