Disney Finalizes $438.7 Million Deal to Acquire Full Control of Hulu

The Walt Disney Company will pay Comcast Corporation $438.7 million to acquire the remaining stake in Hulu, officially ending a lengthy valuation process that began last year.

Disney had initially committed to purchasing Comcast’s 33% stake in Hulu in 2023, paying $8.6 billion based on a guaranteed minimum valuation of $27.5 billion set by the two parties in a 2019 agreement. However, the final payment amount had been under review through an independent appraisal process.

According to an SEC filing, the valuation dispute was resolved with input from a third appraiser, following significantly different assessments by Disney and Comcast. The transaction is expected to close by July 24.

“We are pleased this is finally resolved,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “This move allows for deeper integration between Hulu and Disney+, and supports the future launch of our ESPN streaming platform.”

The acquisition aligns with Disney’s ongoing strategy to streamline its streaming services, bundling Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ into a unified offering. Hulu currently has over 50 million subscribers, while Disney’s total streaming audience exceeds 180 million.

Comcast, which has shifted its focus to its own platform, Peacock, expressed optimism for the future. “Hulu was a great start for us in streaming, generating nearly $10 billion in proceeds,” a Comcast spokesperson stated.

The deal marks a pivotal moment in the streaming wars, giving Disney full control over one of the industry's most influential platforms.