Disney+ and Hulu content to combine into one streaming appIn a significant move made by Disney, the company announced Wednesday that U.S. customers are getting a new app that combines Disney+ and Hulu content.
The company also announced that it is raising the price of the Disney+ ad-free tier later in the year.
During Disney’s quarterly earnings call, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the new streaming option will launch later this year. However, the company also plans to keep Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ as standalone platforms.
The news comes after Disney+ lost four million subscribers in the second quarter of 2023. Hulu gained 200,000 subs.
“While we continue to offer Disney plus Hulu and ESPN plus as standalone options, this is a logical progression of our [direct-to-consumer] offerings that will provide greater opportunities for advertisers while giving subscribers access to more robust and streamlined content, resulting in greater audience engagement and ultimately leading to a more unified streaming experience,” Iger stated during the earnings call.
Many of us saw this announcement coming since former Disney CEO Chapek hinted at the plans in September 2022.
“Right now, if you want to go from Hulu to ESPN+ to Disney+, you have to go out of one app to another app. In the future, we may have less friction,” Chapek told Variety last year.
This also appears to support the reports that Disney will likely buy Comcast’s stake in Hulu. Disney is reportedly expected to buy Comcast’s stake in Hulu by 2024. Currently, Comcast owns 33% and Disney owns 66%.
The integration follows other moves made by competitors, such as Paramount+ combining with Showtime as well as Warner Bros. Discovery announcing its new streaming service, Max, which merges HBO Max and Discovery+ into one platform.
Subscribers in select countries outside of the U.S. already have Hulu content bundled with Disney+.
When the streamer launched its ad-supported plan in December, the cost of its premium tier went up to $10.99/month, compared to $7.99. Disney+ will get yet another price hike for its ad-free subscription. Soon, subscribers will have to pay even more to get content with no ads.
“The pricing changes we’ve already implemented is proven successful, and we plan to set a higher price for our ad-free tier later this year to better reflect the value of our content offerings,” Iger added. “As we look to the future, we will continue optimizing our pricing model to reward loyalty and reduce churn to increase subscriber revenue for the premium add free tier and drive growth of subscribers…”

Disney+ loses subscribers for second quarter in a row, drops 4M subs

Disney+ and Hulu content to combine into one streaming app by Lauren Forristal originally published on TechCrunch

Runaway June Signs with Quartz Hill Records and Brown Sellers Brown MgmtRunaway June has signed with Quartz Hill Records for label and Brown Sellers Brown Management for management, effective immediately, giving the band a new home to share all of their new music on the way. On the heels of their exciting news, the trio is also announcing their upcoming single, "Make Me Wanna Smoke," a burn-it-down country rocker with blowtorch vocals and attitude to match, available everywhere on May 19.

"We cannot wait to start this new journey with Quartz Hill Records and the amazing team there," Runaway June shares. "We couldn't ask for more passionate, talented, hardworking, true believers fighting for us. Benny Brown signed this band from the beginning, and to be together again is a dream come true. We are counting down the days until we can share the new music we are creating together with the world!"

"It's so great to be working with Runaway June again," adds Benny Brown, Managing Partner, Brown Sellers Brown Management. "They're all so talented and I've always been a big believer in them and their music — I think this is some of the best music they've ever done and can't wait for everyone to hear it."

On Wednesday (5/10), Runaway June members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward appeared on the latest episode of The Bobby Bones Show, where "Make Me Wanna Smoke" exclusively premiered. During the episode, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward chatted with Bones and updated him on all things Runaway June before playing "Make Me Wanna Smoke."

"This is a totally different vibe than what we've done in the past and it's really exciting, very edgy, more rock elements," Runaway June exclusively told Bobby Bones of the song, adding, "It has a really cool way of incorporating all of our styles into it. We're really excited about it."

"Make Me Wanna Smoke" was written by Jason Sellers, Ella Langley, and Bobby Hamrick, the track captures a conflicted heart struggling with love it can’t quit – even when it feels like a bad habit. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones as a stomp-and-shout anthem with addictive three-part harmonies and a red-hot rhythm section, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward try their best to resist the temptation. But in the end, this is one romantic habit they just can’t escape.

In late 2022, Runaway June kicked off their latest musical era with the relatable heartbreak rocker "BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)," which was highlighted by Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, CMT and more. The grab-your-girlfriends music video premiered across CMT along with the Paramount Times Square Billboard in New York City, streaming the groove-worthy track's message across the Big Apple.

Runaway June is set to take their new music on the road this summer with planned stops in California, Colorado, Nashville and more. See the band's full list of tour dates here.

Photo by: Ford Fairchild

Former Spotify exec David Ecker joins Exceleration Music as Label Development ManagerRachel Cunningham also appointed to lead Fan Engagement and Commerce at Exceleration
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