Hulu is a streaming service owned and operated by Disney Entertainment, a unit of The Walt Disney Company. It runs with Disney+ and ESPN+ as a joint package, or can be purchased by itself. It was founded on October 29, 2007. The Japanese version, which is majorly hold by Nippon Television Networks, launched on September 1, 2011.
History[]
Founding[]
Hulu was founded on October 29, 2007 by Jason Kilar and Beth Comstock. Jason Kilar became CEO in late 2007 until his departure in 2013. Hulu began beta testing in October 2007, and was released to the public on March 12, 2008.
The name comes from the Mandarin Chinese word húlu (葫芦; 葫蘆; "calabash, bottle gourd") and hùlù (互录; 互錄; "interactive recording"). This was seen as fitting as the streamer was said to be a "holder of precious things".
Disney acquisition[]
In March 2019, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox's parent company, 21st Century Fox; In April 2019, WarnerMedia announced to sold its 9.5% stake. Following two acquisition, Disney owned 60% stake in the Hulu. Comcast, the only other share holder, gave up control of Hulu and agreed to sell its 33% stake to Disney as early as 2024. Under Disney, Hulu would be targeted at general and mature audiences in United States, while Disney+ (United States and Latin America version) would be more family friendly.
As part of restructuring, Disney eliminated the role of CEO for Hulu. Randy Freer resigned, and Kelly Campbell was named president and would oversee the operations of Hulu.
In February 2021, Disney launched Star, a sub-hub under Disney+, to targeted general and mature audiences in other regions, which also includes Hulu contents produced by Disney.
On May 10, 2023, Disney announced that they would introduce an app in the US which combines Disney+ and Hulu content by the end of 2023.[1]
On May 18, it was announced that Disney+ and Hulu will remove nearly 60 original films and series on May 26 in order to "cut costs." The news sparked some backlash, mostly towards the initial decision to remove Howard, the documentary on the life of lyricist Howard Ashman, on the eve of Pride Month and the release of the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. However, it was confirmed the next day that film will remain available on the service.[2][3]
On November 1, 2023, Disney announced that they will purchase Comcast's remaining stake in Hulu, gaining full control of the streaming service.[4]
On December 6, 2023, the Hulu hub was launched in beta on Disney+ in the United States, with the hub formally launched within Disney+ on March 27, 2024.
Originals[]
Films[]
- Little Monsters (2019)
- Wounds (2019)
- Big Time Adolescence (2020)
- Palm Springs (2020)
- The Binge (2020)
- Books of Blood (2020)
- Bad Hair (2020)
- Run (2020)
- Happiest Season (2020)
- The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021)
- Nomadland (2021)
- The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021)
- Boss Level (2021)
- Plan B (2021)
- False Positive (2021)
- Summer of Soul (2021)
- Vacation Friends (2021)
- Mother/Android (2021)
- Sex Appeal (2022)
- No Exit (2022)
- Fresh (2022)
- Deep Water (2022)
- Crush (2022)
- The Valet (2022)
- Fire Island (2022)
- Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022)
- The Princess (2022)
- Not Okay (2022)
- Prey (2022)
- Rosaline (2022)
- Hellraiser (2022)
- Darby and the Dead (2022)
- It's A Wonderful Binge (2022)
- The Drop (2023)
- Bruiser (2023)
- Boston Strangler (2023)
- Rye Land (2023)
- Quasi (2023)
- Clock (2023)
- White Men Can't Jump (2023)
- Flamin' Hot (2023; simultaneously with Disney+)
- Vacation Friends 2 (2023)
- Quiz Lady (2023)
- Self Reliance (2024)
- The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (2024)
- Hold Your Breath (2024)
- Mr. Crocket (2024)
- Carved (2024)
- The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (2024; simultaneously with Prime Video; distribution only)
- Nutcrackers (2024; simultaneously with Disney+)
- Untitled Predator film (2025)
Series[]
- Runaways (2017-2019)
- The Act (2019)
- Catch-22 (2019; distribution only)
- Ramy (2019-2022)
- The Bravest Knight (2019-present)
- Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019)
- Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019-2023)
- Looking for Alaska (2019)
- Dollface (2019-2022)
- Reprisal (2019)
- High Fidelity (2020)
- Devs (2020)
- Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
- Mrs. America (2020)
- Solar Opposites (2020-present)
- The Great (2020-2023)
- Crossing Swords (2020-2021)
- Love, Victor (2020-2022)
- Woke (2020-2022)
- Monsterland (2020)
- Helstrom (2020)
- A Teacher (2020)
- Animaniacs (2020-2023; distribution only)
- M.O.D.O.K. (2021)
- American Horror Stories (2021-present)
- Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)
- Nine Perfect Strangers (2021-present)
- Only Murders in the Building (2021-present)
- Y: The Last Man (2021)
- The Premise (2021)
- Dopesick (2021)
- Hit-Monkey (2021-present)
- How I Met Your Father (2022-2023)
- Pam & Tommy (2022)
- The Dropout (2022)
- Life & Beth (2022-present)
- The Girl from Plainville (2022)
- Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
- Candy (2022)
- Pistol (2022)
- The Bear (2022-present)
- Maggie (2022)
- This Fool (2022-present)
- Reboot (2022)
- Koala Man (2023)
- History of the World, Part II (2023)
- Up Here (2023)
- The Full Monty (2023; distribution only)
- Futurama (2023-present; starting with season 8)
- Goosebumps (2023-present; simultaneously with Disney+)
- Echo (2024; simultaneously with Disney+)
- A Murder at the End of the World (2024)
- Shōgun (2024-present)
- How to Die Alone (2024)
- Interior Chinatown (2024)
- Paradise (2025)
Anime[]
- Block Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall (2022)
- The Tatami Time Machine Blues (2022)
- Tokyo Revengers (2023-present; starting with season 2)
- Summer Time Rendering (2023)
- Heavenly Delusion (2023)
- Synduality: Noir (2023)
- Phoenix: Eden17 (2023)
- Undead Unluck (2023)
- Ishura (2024-present)
- Sand Land (2024)
- The Fable (2024)
- Go! Go! Loser Ranger! (2024-present)
- Mission: Yozakura Family (2024)
- Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (2024)
- Murai in Love (2024)
- Wandance (2025)
- Medalist (2025)
- Bullet/Bullet (2025)
- Cat's Eye (2025)
Logos[]
References[]
- ↑ Hayes, Dade (May 10, 2023). "Disney+ And Hulu Programming To Be Combined Into One App By Year's End, Bob Iger Says". Retrieved on May 10, 2023.
- ↑ "'Howard' Documentary Will Remain On Disney+; List Of Disney Streaming Removals Still Being Finalized – Update" (May 19, 2023). Retrieved on May 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Disney Removes Dozens Of Series From Disney+ & Hulu, Including 'Big Shot', 'Willow', 'Y' & 'Dollface'" (May 18, 2023). Retrieved on May 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Disney Is Planning to Buy Out Comcast's Stake in Hulu". Collider (November 2, 2023).
External links[]
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