DISNEY+, MAX AND HULU BUNDLE PLANNED IN MAJOR STREAMING TEAM-UP

Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up on a streaming bundle.

The two entertainment giants will launch a bundle this summer that combines the Disney+, Hulu, and Max streaming services. Specific pricing is still to-be-determined, but there will be both ad-free and ad-supported options of the bundle.

Disney+, Hulu and Max all offer both less expensive ad-supported plans, and more premium ad-free options.

The deal between the companies is significant, as a Max-Disney+ bundle is filling a niche not currently served in the market. In their announcement, the companies are framing the bundle as the "best value in entertainment."

Disney has also been reticent to partner with other competitive companies on streaming bundles, until now. The company has instead leaned on its own Disney Bundle, with options including Disney+ and Hulu, or Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

Both WBD and Disney have offered their services through third-parties, like Verizon, but this deal is a more direct value proposition. Netflix, the subscription streaming leader, has also generally been reluctant to bundle, though Verizon created a Netflix-Max bundle late last year.

WBD and Disney are also two of the three companies involved in the upcoming sports streaming service, which will offer live and on-demand feeds from its partners, which will also include Fox.

"On the heels of the very 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 for Disney Entertainment. "This incredible new partnership puts subscribers first, giving them access to blockbuster films, originals, and three massive libraries featuring the very best brands and entertainment in streaming today."

"This new offering delivers for consumers the greatest collection of entertainment for the best value in streaming, and will help drive incremental subscribers and much stronger retention," added JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games for Warner Bros. Discovery. "Offering this unprecedented entertainment value for fans across all the complimentary genres these three services offer, presents a powerful new roadmap for the future of the industry."

Both companies are expected to present their programming wares to media buyers and advertisers next week, with streaming set to be front and center.

2024-05-08T22:17:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd