Who Owns Hulu?

Who owns Hulu? As of 2024, The Walt Disney Company is in the process of becoming the sole owner of Hulu. Disney currently holds a 67% majority stake in the streaming service. The remaining 33% is owned by Comcast, through its subsidiary NBC Universal.

However, Comcast exercised its option in November 2023 to sell its stake to Disney, with the transaction expected to be finalized by the end of 2024. This will result in Disney fully owning Hulu.

Hulu is a streaming service that offers a diverse range of television shows, movies, and original content. Hulu’s ownership journey has been complex and has undergone significant changes since its founding.

Hulu was launched to the public in March 2008 as a joint venture between several media giants, including News Corporation (which owned Fox), NBC Universal, and Providence Equity Partners. Initially, these companies shared ownership to leverage their combined content libraries against the rising influence of platforms like YouTube and Netflix.

Over time, Disney gradually increased its stake in Hulu, particularly after acquiring 21st Century Fox in 2019, which included Fox’s 30% stake in Hulu. This acquisition gave Disney a controlling interest in Hulu, allowing it to consolidate its streaming services under one umbrella.

With Disney set to buy Comcast’s remaining stake in 2024, Hulu will become a fully integrated part of Disney’s streaming strategy, complementing its other platforms, such as Disney+ and ESPN+​.

Hulu Ownership Structure

Top Hulu Individual Shareholders in 2024

Currently, Hulu is 67% owned by The Walt Disney Company and 33% of Comcast. As such, no individual shareholders are specific to Hulu, as it is not publicly traded. Instead, Hulu’s ownership is reflected through its parent companies. Individuals who own shares in The Walt Disney Company or Comcast indirectly have a stake in Hulu through their shares in these companies.

Top Hulu Institutional Shareholders in 2024

Comcast

Comcast is a prominent player in the media industry, with diverse holdings and a strong presence in both traditional and digital media platforms. As a leading telecommunications conglomerate, Comcast owns a 33% stake in Hulu through its subsidiary, NBCUniversal.

While NBCUniversal had initially planned to launch its streaming platform, it ultimately decided to join forces with Hulu to maximize its market reach and content offerings. With its stake in Hulu, Comcast has enjoyed a position of influence and participation in the streaming industry. 

In May 2019, Comcast and Disney agreed that Disney would acquire Comcast’s 33% stake in Hulu. This agreement included provisions for Comcast to relinquish its control over Hulu and for Disney to acquire Comcast’s stake at a fair market value.

As of November 2023, it was announced that Disney would acquire Comcast’s 33% stake in Hulu for a minimum of $8.61 billion, based on negotiations on Hulu’s market valuation. This transaction will grant Disney full ownership of the streaming platform. 

Under the current agreement, Comcast is effectively a silent partner until the transaction is finalized. This acquisition is set to be completed by 2024, following the agreed-upon timeline.

Once the acquisition is completed, Hulu will be wholly owned by The Walt Disney Company, making Comcast’s involvement with Hulu a historical aspect rather than an ongoing one.

The Walt Disney Company

With a rich history spanning nearly a century, Disney has established itself as a leading player in the entertainment industry. The company operates through various divisions, including Media Networks, Parks, Experiences and Products, Studio Entertainment, and Direct-to-Consumer & International. The Direct-to-Consumer & International segment mainly encompasses Disney’s streaming services, including Hulu.

Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019 played a crucial role in its majority ownership of Hulu. Through the deal, Disney obtained Fox’s 30% stake in Hulu, which, combined with its existing 30% stake, made Disney the majority owner. Disney subsequently acquired additional shares from WarnerMedia, bringing its ownership to approximately 67% of Hulu, while Comcast had a 33% stake.

As a major institutional shareholder of Hulu, Disney’s involvement in the streaming platform extends beyond its ownership stake. The company has strategically integrated Hulu into its broader streaming strategy, combining it with Disney+ and ESPN+ to offer a bundled streaming subscription to consumers. This bundling strategy allows Disney to cater to a wide range of audience demographics, enhancing its competitive position in the streaming market.

Disney’s influence extends beyond ownership. The company’s expertise in content creation has enriched Hulu’s programming, integrating popular Disney-owned franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars into Hulu’s content lineup. Disney’s focus on innovation and content development drives Hulu’s growth and relevance in the dynamic streaming industry.

With plans to acquire Comcast’s remaining 33% stake in Hulu before the end of 2024, Disney will entirely control the platform, consolidating its position as a significant player in the global streaming landscape.

History of Hulu Ownership

Since its inception, Hulu has been a dynamic player in the streaming media landscape. From its early days as a collaborative platform to its current status under Disney’s majority control, Hulu’s journey provides insight into the evolution of streaming services and corporate strategy.

Hulu was founded in 2007 by NBC Universal, News Corporation, and a few other minority investors. The service officially launched in March 2008 as a subscription-based streaming platform offering a mix of TV shows, movies, and original content. The founding media companies envisioned Hulu as a way to distribute their content online while maintaining control over their valuable intellectual property.

In 2009, The Walt Disney Company joined Hulu as a major investor, increasing the platform’s content offerings. Disney’s entry was significant, adding popular TV shows and movies from ABC and Disney’s other properties. By 2010, Hulu introduced its subscription service, Hulu Plus, which provided an ad-free experience and access to a broader content library.

During this period, Hulu’s ownership structure consisted of NBC Universal (a division of General Electric), News Corporation (later known as 21st Century Fox), The Walt Disney Company, and Providence Equity Partners (an investment firm).

In 2011, Hulu’s ownership began to shift. Through their parent companies, News Corporation and NBC Universal began exploring strategic changes. By 2013, News Corporation split into two separate entities: 21st Century Fox and the newly formed News Corp. Hulu’s ownership now included 21st Century Fox, NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company, and Providence Equity Partners.

Providence Equity Partners sold its stake in Hulu to its media company owners in 2014, reducing the number of stakeholders to three primary media giants. In December 2017, Disney announced its intention to acquire a controlling stake in Hulu as part of its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. This acquisition was a significant move to consolidate Disney’s presence in the streaming market. By early 2019, Disney had gained control of 67%.

Conclusion

Hulu’s ownership structure is primarily dominated by The Walt Disney Company, which holds approximately 67% of the streaming platform. Comcast owns the remaining 33%.

As part of a 2019 agreement, Disney is set to acquire Comcast’s stake by 2024, resulting in Hulu becoming wholly owned by Disney. This transition reflects Disney’s growing influence in the streaming market and will consolidate Hulu under its direct control, enhancing its strategic positioning in the competitive landscape of digital media.