REPORTEDLY WANTS TO DO
AT&T and WarnerMedia’s approach to bundled streaming may sound familiar — it’s exactly what Disney is reportedly looking to accomplish. Disney is also set to launch its standalone streaming service in fall 2019, but The Hollywood Reporter notes the company is looking to bundle in two other prominent services — Hulu and ESPN+ — to offer a digital bundle options for consumers.
Disney owns ESPN, and will become Hulu’s majority shareholder once its acquisition of 21st Century Fox is finalized. Disney could then offer a similar bundle to what AT&T wants to accomplish with its streaming service.
It’s a move that makes sense when looking at the current streaming space and what’s to come. More companies are launching standalone streaming apps to compete against giants like Amazon and Netflix, including retailers like Wal-Mart and niche platforms like Crunchyroll’s VRV. Consumers only have a percentage of their monthly or annual budget they can dedicate toward entertainment. Companies like Disney and AT&T launching bundled packages, which would assumedly offer a discounted price for people who signed up for multiple services, is one way to entice consumers in an oversaturated market.