Hulu CEO Randy Freer has indicated the direction Hulu’s programming will be taking since Disney has taken complete control over the streaming service. That direction will include more original content.
During an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Freer said, “When you look at the capacity inside of the Walt Disney Company to create content, the IP that’s there, the access we’ll have with that is, you know, terrific. We are going to be able to invest more and invest more upstream and find the best stories and the best creators to make shows for the company.”
He also confirmed during the interview that “investment in original programming will increase significantly.” This programming budget will be in line with what Disney shared during Investor Day, CNBC is reporting. This marks the beginning of a new strategy for Hulu. Up until now, the streaming service has focused on acquiring content. However, Disney is a content creation powerhouse.
Hulu isn’t completely new to the content creation world though. It has already created original programs like Catch 22, Handmaiden’s Tale, Ramy, The Act, Pen 15, and Shrill. Before Disney took control of Hulu, two new original Marvel shows were greenlit. One was Ghost Rider and the other Helstrom. There are also four animated Marvel television shows, one of which is Howard the Duck.
Later this year Disney will be releasing its Disney+, it’s streaming service for Disney content. With the arrival of Disney+, Disney will have a triumvirate of streaming services: Disney+ for Disney content, Hulu for other Disney owned but not necessarily Disney branded content and ESPN+ for sports. At some point, it is expected that the three of these will be bundled.
What do you think of Hulu diving deeper into the content creation world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
