In a groundbreaking move, entertainment giants Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have joined forces to combat the growing trend of consumers canceling their streaming services. The two companies announced on Wednesday that they will be offering a bundle of their popular streaming platforms – Disney+, Hulu, and Max – starting this summer.
This collaboration comes as a response to the rapidly changing media landscape, where traditional cable bundles are being replaced by on-demand streaming services. With consumers increasingly cutting the cord and switching between different streaming platforms, companies have been struggling to retain subscribers and turn a profit.
The bundle, which will be available for purchase on any of the three streaming platform’s websites, will offer both commercial-free and ad-supported options. While the pricing and exact launch date have not been revealed, the current monthly cost for subscribing to all three services separately is $48 for commercial-free versions and $25 for plans with ads.
Disney, which recently announced that Disney+ was profitable for the first time last quarter, has already seen success with its bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The new partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery is seen as a significant step towards creating a more sustainable streaming model.
Executives from both companies have expressed optimism about the collaboration, with Joe Earley from Disney Entertainment stating that the partnership puts subscribers first, and JB Perrette from Warner Bros. Discovery calling it a “powerful new road map for the future of the industry.”
This move follows a trend in the industry, with Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox also forming a joint venture to create a streaming service dedicated to sports offerings, set to debut in the fall. As media companies continue to adapt to the changing landscape, partnerships and bundled offerings like this one may be the key to retaining subscribers and ensuring long-term success in the streaming market.
