Disney/Hulu News

[klang]

Hmmm, l thought it was supposed to be a bad thing to license content to a rival?

 

[ncted]

Hmmm, l thought it was supposed to be a bad thing to license content to a rival?

It wasn't, and then it was, and not it isn't again.

 

[ncted]

https://www.wsj.com/business/media/disney-and-comcast-hit-impasse-in-final-lap-of-hulu-negotiations-eedcfc92?mod=hp_lead_pos3

Companies are discussing a Disney buyout of Comcast’s stake in streaming service; with a big valuation gap, the prospect of a court battle looms​

 

[savarese04]

There's no "court battle" - the arbitration agreement and valuation standards are written into the contract.

Basically, if the valuations were different, they agreed to get a third indepedent valuation to be the tiebreak. that valuation is then averaged with whatever valuation it is closest to. There's nothing to battle or argue with.

 

[klang]

Another price increase coming in October.

Disney+ and Hulu Reveal Major Price Increases — Here’s How Much It’ll Cost You to Stream Without Ads

 

[Bruce]

Another price increase coming in October.

Disney+ and Hulu Reveal Major Price Increases — Here’s How Much It’ll Cost You to Stream Without Ads

First, always amazed how these sites and others, just make such a big deal about streaming prices going up once a year, while never bringing up when Satellite and Cable do the same every year, in 2024, Charter had two increases, in 2023, Comcast, Charter and DirecTV had two increases.

Second, my price will go up $2, since I have the trio, Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+, to $26.99, not exactly a major increase as that headline says.

 

[ncted]

So, no price increase for the Duo?

 

[Bruce]

So, no price increase for the Duo?

Did not see any, also, can only get that thru Disney+, cannot with Hulu, not a option do not know why.

During the non Football months, would prefer just the duo, but I have to do it with Hulu, due to the use of Hulu Gift Cards I get with my CC points.

Football looks so much better on ESPN+, since it is real 1080P, versus the down converted 720P on Paid Live TV.

 

[Bobby]

Did not see any, also, can only get that thru Disney+, cannot with Hulu, not a option do not know why.

During the non Football months, would prefer just the duo, but I have to do it with Hulu, due to the use of Hulu Gift Cards I get with my CC points.

Football looks so much better on ESPN+, since it is real 1080P, versus the down converted 720P on Paid Live TV.

I keep ESPN+ year round because they have a lot of boxing and now that HBO and Showtime no longer have it it is a must for me.

 

[savarese04]

I keep ESPN+ year round because they have a lot of boxing and now that HBO and Showtime no longer have it it is a must for me.

it's also pretty negligible in price when bundled with the other two things. i don't hate that!

 

[b4pjoe]

So Hulu Ad-free is now $18.99 and the Duo of both ad-free Disney+ and Hulu is only a dollar more.

 

[klang]

Another price increase coming in October.

Disney+ and Hulu Reveal Major Price Increases — Here’s How Much It’ll Cost You to Stream Without Ads

This price increase starts for me in November. $159.99 annual. Nope, not paying it as there isn't anything currently on I want to watch. I will sign up again for a month when there is content I want.

 

[ncted]

Disney's streaming business is hitting its stride

Disney said its streaming platforms turned a profit for the second quarter in a row, helping power a Q4 earnings beat and sending the stock up 8%

qz.com

 

[Bruce]

Disney's streaming business is hitting its stride

Disney said its streaming platforms turned a profit for the second quarter in a row, helping power a Q4 earnings beat and sending the stock up 8%

qz.com

I wonder who predicted this.

Also, the number one studio at the box office this year, both domestic and worldwide, a massive difference between #1 and 2 in money taken in.

Cable Channels are taking a hit, but not as bad as Warner ( $10 Billion devaluation) and Paramount ($5B).

Just two years ago, people were writing off Disney.

The industry is just changing, all studios are having issues because of the transition to streaming, Disney is just the first to really adapt to the new paradigm, Paramount would be the second.

Warner, Sony and Lionsgate is a mess because of the change over.

 

[ncted]

Disney+ getting a massive upgrade that can change the way you watch

New feature will be especially great if your TV doesn't support Dolby Vision

www.t3.com

TLDR: They are adding HDR10+.

 

[Bruce]

Disney+ getting a massive upgrade that can change the way you watch

New feature will be especially great if your TV doesn't support Dolby Vision

www.t3.com

TLDR: They are adding HDR10+.

Good for those with Samsungs, since they do not have Dolby Vision.

 

[klang]

Disney+ drops 700k subs. Probably due to the last price increase.

Disney+ Loses 700,000 Subscribers Following Price Increase

I was one of them but I got back in with a black Friday deal I couldn't pass up.

 

[Bruce]

Disney+ drops 700k subs. Probably due to the last price increase.

Disney+ Loses 700,000 Subscribers Following Price Increase

I was one of them but I got back in with a black Friday deal I couldn't pass up.

While true, but another profitable quarter-

On the heels of price hikes, its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming business — which includes Disney+ and Hulu — swung to a profit of $293 million from a loss of $138 million one year ago, ahead of analyst expectations. It marked the third straight quarter of profitability for the streaming business.

Achieving consistent profits in streaming is critical for Disney and other media giants as more consumers shift to DTC services from traditional pay-TV packages. The company said it continues to expect streaming profits of approximately $875 million in fiscal 2025.

 

[ncted]

While true, but another profitable quarter-

On the heels of price hikes, its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming business — which includes Disney+ and Hulu — swung to a profit of $293 million from a loss of $138 million one year ago, ahead of analyst expectations. It marked the third straight quarter of profitability for the streaming business.

Achieving consistent profits in streaming is critical for Disney and other media giants as more consumers shift to DTC services from traditional pay-TV packages. The company said it continues to expect streaming profits of approximately $875 million in fiscal 2025.

Yeah. Charge more and spend less is a good recipe for profitability, even if you lose some customers along the way. My price for the bundle stayed at $20, so no complaints from me.

 

[b4pjoe]

I got an email from Disney+ yesterday with their new subscriber agreements.

We have highlighted some of the changes for your reference:

• We’re adding information regarding billing and payment processes, and reflecting that you may “pause” your subscription.

• We are clarifying that, as we continue to increase the breadth and depth of the content we make available to you, circumstances may require that certain titles and types of content include ads, even in our 'no ads' or 'ad free' subscription tiers.