Julia Stoll
Research expert covering TV and video media
Hulu - statistics & facts
In comparison to Disney's other assets, such as Disney+ and the linear TV channels, U.S.-based streaming service Hulu constantly grew in the last few years. As of December 2023, the number of Hulu’s paying subscribers peaked at nearly 50 million. Moreover, Hulu’s average monthly revenue per paying subscriber is higher than that of Disney’s other two streaming offers ESPN+ and Disney+. In the company’s first fiscal quarter of 2024, Hulu generated an ARPU of over 93 U.S. dollars, an increase of around six U.S. dollars from the same period in the previous year. Given such figures and the demand for content on Hulu, it is no wonder that The Walt Disney Company bought up the minority stake of the streaming service from Comcast in a multibillion-dollar transaction in late 2023.
With the live TV option, on the other hand, Hulu customers can watch content on over 70 channels, like ABC, Fox, and Comedy Central, as well as access live sports including NFL and international soccer games. As of 2023, Hulu + Live TV was the second most popular online TV service in the U.S., with 4.6 million subscribers, after YouTube TV.
What Hulu has up its sleeve
Available in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and some parts of Japan, Hulu is primarily oriented towards the broadcast of past and current television series. Nowadays, the streaming platform also provides live TV, and on-demand streaming to consumers. Depending on how much money consumers want to spend, they could choose from a wide selection of programs. The library of the on-demand plans includes full seasons, day-after access to current season content, and thousands of TV show episodes and movies. A lot of Hulu originals, such as dystopian drama “The Handmaid’s Tale” or comedy drama “The Great,” were very valuable for the streaming service and were honored with several awards.With the live TV option, on the other hand, Hulu customers can watch content on over 70 channels, like ABC, Fox, and Comedy Central, as well as access live sports including NFL and international soccer games. As of 2023, Hulu + Live TV was the second most popular online TV service in the U.S., with 4.6 million subscribers, after YouTube TV.
Consolidated platforms for more convenience
Apart from four tier options, Hulu is also available through cheaper consolidation options like the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle, and since late 2023, Hulu’s portfolio is displayed for customers as a hub via Disney+ for a smooth viewing and discovery experience . An analysis shows that this one-app experience does not only create a platform with a more competitive library size, but also increases the overall content quality of both streaming platforms. Hulu continues to be a popular choice for consumers in the U.S. seeing that the subscription price compared to other available streaming services in the U.S. remains very competitive. Moreover, the content library expands both in quality and quantity, and Disney creates a more comfortable and affordable option for viewers.
