The newly merged Disney+ and Hulu streaming service has the potential to shake things up in 2024.
The combined services will have one third of the 100 most popular titles in the U.S., according to Ampere Analysis, overtaking Netflix’s 29 titles. In addition, when it comes to distinct movies and TV seasons, the combined apps would offer 9,578 titles, ranking second only to Amazon Prime’s 10,892 titles and surpassing Netflix’s 8,391 titles.
Ampere Analysis’ projections are based on data reported for the third quarter of 2023. The firm measures popularity based on metrics like volume of interest, web traffic, and box office income from services like Google, IMBDb, and Wikipedia.
Ampere’s data bodes well for Disney, which continues to see massive losses from its streaming business, and expects to get to profitability by the fall of next year. The media giant hopes that the combined Disney+ Hulu app will bring in upwards of 150,000 subscribers over the next year and generate millions in revenue, according to the The Wall Street Journal. The two apps combined in a beta trial earlier this month, and will formally launch in March.
In a consumer survey, Ampere found that 44% of U.S. Hulu subscribers already have access to Disney+ thanks to bundle deals offered on both platforms and ESPN. According to the firm, the joining of the apps gives Disney+ the chance to draw in the remaining Hulu subscribers who don’t have Disney+.
What’s more, the merged apps would give viewers a more consolidated streaming experience with a swath of content. This comes at a time when many customers are cutting back on how many services they’re subscribed to in order to save money. In addition, Ampere’s survey found that 43% of streaming video on demand users are “overwhelmed” with the number of services available.
“The combined Disney+ and Hulu catalogue will provide one of the most well rounded and popular offerings in a single platform, upping the content stakes at a time when many are pulling back on content investment,” Joshua Rustage, an analyst for the firm said.
It remains to be seen how the new app will actually be received by users, but the combination will serve to further heat up competition between providers for subscribers. This comes after rival app Paramount+ folded in Showtime app, and Amazon ramps up its Prime Video Channels program, which allows you to subscribe to other services like Max or Paramount+ and view them within the Prime Video hub.
“Rivals will have to ensure their offerings remain competitive as the battle for viewing time intensifies, especially as the need to pull in advertising dollars is now also central to the streaming mix,” Rustage said.