How Disney’s Hulu Takeover Affects You
There have been so many media mergers and deals lately that it can be hard to keep them all straight, much less figure out how they actually affect you. One of the more recent announcements revealed that Disney is taking total control of Hulu, a popular streaming service loved by cord cutters and binge watchers.
But does a deal struck in some high-rise office far away actually affect you or your family? Read on to find out.
Streaming Your Favorite Shows
The Disney deal is done, but don’t expect any noticeable changes to your streaming experience right away. That’s because Comcast has agreed to keep popular NBCUniversal shows, like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Office,” on the Hulu platform—at least for now.
But change is coming. The deal does give Comcast some flexibility to decide if and how to make its shows available on Hulu, and Comcast’s NBCUniversal is launching its own streaming service in 2020.
As Comcast and other big players, like AT&T’s Warner Media and Apple, enter the streaming space and start competing for subscribers, you may find your favorite shows spread across multiple services. In that case, you could be forced to decide between buying multiple subscriptions or losing access to your favorite shows.
Bundle Deals on the Horizon
The change doesn’t have to be all bad, however. Later this year, Disney will launch Disney+, a kid-focused streaming service. When they do, you may see some bundle deals available when you combine Disney+ with Hulu or ESPN+, the Disney-owned streaming service for sports fans.
Viewers like you just may benefit as companies get creative to strengthen their relationships with consumers. Disney CEO Robert Iger even hinted at the possibility of future off-screen “bundles,” where streaming service subscribers enjoy special discounts or experiences at Disney amusement parks.
Are You Prepared for the Future of Streaming?
The exact effects of Disney’s Hulu takeover remain to be seen, but one thing is sure: Big media companies are devoting more attention to streaming services and investing billions of dollars into those platforms.
This is the future of entertainment for you and your family—and if you’ve ever faced the frustration of a video that won’t buffer, you know you’ll need high-speed internet to make it work! Contact Race today to make sure you have the fast, reliable internet you need to enjoy your favorite shows now and in the future.