Disney takes full control of Hulu as Comcast steps aside

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Today, Disney takes the reins at Hulu. Disney and Comcast announced a deal that states Disney will assume full operational control of Hulu, effective immediately. In turn, Disney and Comcast have entered a “put/call” agreement—that means that, as early as January 2024, Comcast can require Disney to buy NBCUniversal’s 33-percent interest in Hulu. On the flip side, Disney can require NBCUniversal to sell its interest in Hulu by January 2024 for fair market value.

Fair market value will be assessed at the time of sale, but Disney has guaranteed Comcast a minimum sale price of $27.5 billion for the remaining stake in Hulu.

As part of the agreement, Comcast has agreed to extend Hulu’s licensing of NBCUniversal content until late 2024. That means, despite Disney’s immediate takeover, Hulu will retain NBCUniversal content for the next few years. This goes for on-demand content as well as Hulu Live.