Following Disney purchasing 20th Century Fox, it acquired control of 66% of Hulu, resulting in a deal being made with Comcast, who owns 33%, that in 2024, both companies could force Disney to buy out Comcast’s stake. Part of the deal is that Hulu has to be independently valued, but at a minimum of $27.5 billion, which means Comcast would get $9 billion.

With less than a year to go until Disney can buy out Comcast’s stake, there have been many questions about Hulu’s future, especially following the latest quarterly financial results call, where Bob Iger said that “everything is on the table” when it comes to the idea of selling Hulu. This has led to much speculation about what Disney might be planning on doing with Hulu, either selling it, keeping it or merging it with Disney+.

During a recent interview with Time, Disney CEO Bob Iger was asked, “One of the biggest decisions you’re facing is the fate of Hulu, whether Disney will buy it out. There’s a deadline approaching. What are the considerations that you’re thinking about as you make that decision?”, which he replied:

We own about two thirds of Hulu, and Comcast owns the other piece, and they actually have the right to put their piece to us, in other words, force us to buy them out. If they decide to do that, then we have no choice but to buy them out.

Bob Iger is being very open about how Disney might be required to buy out Comcast’s stake in Hulu, especially if they have to spend at least $9 billion to do so.  The two companies are apparently in negotiations about the sale, with Goldman Sachs being brought in to investigate a sale of Hulu.

Comcast has also been vocal about Disney having to send a big cheque to them for Hulu, and there have been numerous reports that Comcast could even buy Hulu, to boost its own service Peacock, with rumours of other assets being included in the negotiations such as the East Coast Marvel theme park rights.

Hopefully, we will get some clarification on what the future of Hulu is, but Bob Iger is being very vague about it while things are being sorted out.

Do you think Disney should buy or sell Hulu?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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