May 9, 2024

Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery to Begin Bundling Streaming Services

[Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery this week announced a new streaming bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and Max.

The idea of bundling is an old idea that harkens back to the cable era, but in those earlier days, bundling was done by third-party pay-TV operators, not entertainment producers.

The new bundles will be available for purchase in the U.S. starting this summer and can be accessed from any of the three streaming platforms. Both ad-supported and ad-free plans will be offered. Pricing and release date details have not yet been announced.

The two competitors are bundling their services with the larger goal of preventing churn, and JB Perrett, CEO and president of WBD's Global Streaming and Gaming Division, said the bundle will “drive subscriber growth and stronger retention.”

Perrett said.

Perrette believes the bundle will provide “a powerful new roadmap for the future of the industry.” Joe Early, president of Disney Entertainment's direct-to-consumer division, added that “this new partnership puts the subscriber first” and offers consumers “even more choice and value.”