Hulu
Hulu launched on the 29th of October 2007 as a joint venture between News Corporation and NBC Universal. The service began with a private beta test that invited users to leave email addresses for access. Jason Kilar served as the first CEO starting in late 2007. Early partners included AOL, MSN, Myspace, and Yahoo! for distribution. The platform initially streamed recent episodes from ABC, NBC, and Fox networks. An advertising campaign during Super Bowl XLIII featured Alec Baldwin in a spot titled "Alec in Huluwood." Providence Equity invested $100 million for a 10% stake before the company was officially named Hulu.
Disney acquired a majority stake in Hulu on the 20th of March 2019 following its purchase of 21st Century Fox. AT&T sold its 10% stake back to the company for $1.43 billion on the 15th of April 2019. Comcast held the remaining 33% until Disney bought it out in November 2023. The final transaction closed by the 24th of July 2025 after Disney paid an extra $438.7 million to resolve valuation disputes. By the 6th of August 2025, Disney announced plans to discontinue standalone Hulu apps in favor of a unified Disney+ platform. The service remains a division of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International.
The first original script-based program aired in February 2012 titled Battleground. Later that month Hulu announced The Fashion Fund reality series offering a $300,000 prize to the winner. The Handmaid's Tale won eight awards including Outstanding Drama Series at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards. Elisabeth Moss took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress while Ann Dowd won for Supporting Actress. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week documentary earned Grammy Awards and Emmys for Sound Editing and Mixing. In March 2025 Hulu streamed the 97th Academy Awards in simulcast with ABC despite technical server outages during the ceremony.
Disney began integrating Hulu
as a content hub on Disney+ starting the 6th of December 2023 for subscribers of both services. On the 6th of August 2025 Disney announced the discontinuation of standalone apps to merge content into a unified platform by 2026. International markets saw the Star brand replaced by Hulu on the 8th of October 2025. A planned merger with FuboTV was approved by stockholders on the 30th of September 2025 forming a larger company controlled by Disney. The merged entity will be led by Fubo CEO David Gandler while retaining separate consumer offerings. By the 7th of January 2026
Disney revealed plans to shut down the standalone app for new devices.
Hulu signed deals with Sony Pictures, MGM, Warner Bros., and Lionsgate at launch to stream movies and shows. An agreement with Viz Media launched Neon Alley on the 2nd of October 2012 featuring anime like Naruto and Death Note before it went defunct in May 2016. In April 2021 Disney reached a deal for streaming rights to Sony Pictures films from 2022 through 2026 including Spider-Man and Hotel Transylvania franchises. The service added 5.1 surround sound on select devices in May 2018. Partnerships included record labels EMI and Warner Music Group starting in late 2009. By early 2026 next-day access became restricted
primarily to Disney-owned properties and active output deals.
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Common questions
When did Hulu launch and who were the original partners?
Hulu launched on the 29th of October 2007 as a joint venture between News Corporation and NBC Universal. Early distribution partners included AOL, MSN, Myspace, and Yahoo!.
Who owns Hulu now after Disney acquired all remaining stakes?
Disney fully owns Hulu following the acquisition of Comcast's stake in November 2023 and the final transaction closing by the 24th of July 2025. The service remains a division of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International.
What major awards has The Handmaid's Tale won for Hulu?
The Handmaid's Tale won eight awards including Outstanding Drama Series at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards. Elisabeth Moss took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress while Ann Dowd won for Supporting Actress.
When will standalone Hulu apps be discontinued and what replaces them?
Disney announced plans to discontinue standalone Hulu apps by the 6th of August 2025 in favor of a unified Disney+ platform. A planned merger with FuboTV was approved by stockholders on the 30th of September 2025 forming a larger company controlled by Disney.
Which anime series were featured on Neon Alley before it closed?
An agreement with Viz Media launched Neon Alley on the 2nd of October 2012 featuring anime like Naruto and Death Note before it went defunct in May 2016.