Disney+, Hulu and Max to be part of new bundle as streaming rivals team up

By Mike Murphy

No price announced yet, but Disney-Warner Bros. Discovery package will become available this summer

It's not exactly reinventing the cable bundle, but it's close.

Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD) are putting aside their rivalry to partner on a new streaming bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu and Max.

The two media giants announced Wednesday afternoon that the new bundle will be offered beginning this summer. Among other things, the package would unite Disney+'s Marvel and Max's DC universes. Disney and WBD, along with Fox Corp. (FOX) (FOXA), are also planning to offer a joint sports-streaming service to launch as soon as the fall.

"This new bundle with Max will offer subscribers even more choice and value," Joe Earley, Disney Entertainment's direct-to-consumer president, said in a statement Wednesday.

JB Perrette, WBD's CEO of global streaming and games, said the new bundle "will help drive incremental subscribers and much stronger retention," calling it "a powerful new roadmap for the future of the industry."

Consumers will be able to buy the new package on any of the three streaming platform's websites, including both ad-supported and ad-free plans. Prices were not revealed, but the companies said additional details will be released in the coming months.

Currently, Hulu costs $7.99 a month with ads and $17.99 ad-free; Disney+ is $7.99 with ads and $13.99 with no ads; and Max is $9.99 with ads and $15.99 without ads.

Earlier Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported that Warner Bros. Discovery is looking for new ways to cut costs, including in its streaming operations. It also reported that the company plans to raise prices for Max.

Disney raised prices last year and unveiled two new bundles - one offering ad-free Disney+ and Hulu for $19.99 a month, and another featuring ad-supported Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99 a month.

On Tuesday, Disney reported mixed quarterly earnings that resulted in its stock plunging - though its streaming business edged closer to profitability, which it aims to achieve by the end of the year.

-Mike Murphy

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05-08-24 1908ET

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