Disney Buys Comcast’s Hulu Stake – $438.7M Deal
- Disney has completed its acquisition of ComcastS 33% stake in Hulu, paying $438.7 million to finalize the deal.This agreement concludes an appraisal process that has spanned several years.
- The original agreement,set in 2019,established a minimum valuation of $27.5 billion for Hulu. Disney initially paid $8.6 billion in 2023 based on this valuation.
- Disney plans to account for the payment in its fiscal third-quarter income statement, categorizing it as a reduction in "net income attributable to Disney." However, the company does...
Disney seizes full control, paying Comcast $438.7 million to acquire its Hulu stake, concluding a multi-year appraisal.The move enables deeper integration of Hulu’s vast content library with Disney+ and the forthcoming ESPN streaming app, considerably reshaping the streaming landscape. From the long-set 2019 agreement to the recent self-reliant appraisal, this deal marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Disney’s direct-to-consumer strategy. Expect a more extensive entertainment package for consumers as Disney streamlines and bundles services. News Directory 3 covers this deal and other top stories. What does this full acquisition mean for your streaming future? Discover what’s next.
Disney Finalizes Hulu Acquisition from Comcast for $438.7 Million
Updated June 10, 2025
Disney has completed its acquisition of ComcastS 33% stake in Hulu, paying $438.7 million to finalize the deal.This agreement concludes an appraisal process that has spanned several years. The move gives Disney full control of the streaming service, paving the way for integrating Hulu’s content more closely with Disney+ and the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming app.
The original agreement,set in 2019,established a minimum valuation of $27.5 billion for Hulu. Disney initially paid $8.6 billion in 2023 based on this valuation. Following this, both companies engaged in an appraisal process to determine the final value of Comcast’s stake. Discrepancies arose, with Disney’s appraiser suggesting a value below the guaranteed floor and Comcast’s appraiser indicating a substantially higher figure. An independent third appraiser ultimately settled the matter, according to an SEC filing.
The transaction is expected to close by July 24. Disney plans to account for the payment in its fiscal third-quarter income statement, categorizing it as a reduction in “net income attributable to Disney.” However, the company does not anticipate any changes to its previously issued fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings guidance.
“We are pleased this is finally resolved. We have had a productive partnership with NBCUniversal, and we wish them the best of luck,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Iger added that the acquisition allows for a more seamless integration of Hulu and Disney+ content, alongside the launch of the ESPN streaming app. Disney has already begun bundling the two services with ESPN+.
Comcast’s NBCUniversal has been focusing on its own streaming platform, Peacock, since its launch in 2020.
“Hulu was a great start for us in streaming that generated nearly $10 billion in proceeds for Comcast and created an crucial audience for NBCUniversal’s world-class content,” a Comcast spokesperson said. “We wish Disney well with Hulu and appreciate the cooperative way our teams managed the partnership.”
as of march 29, Hulu had over 50 million subscribers. Disney’s total streaming subscriber base reached 180.7 million, primarily driven by Disney+. Peacock reported 41 million subscribers in April.
What’s next
With full ownership of Hulu, Disney is expected to accelerate its plans to bundle its streaming services and offer a more comprehensive entertainment package to consumers, enhancing its position in the competitive streaming market.