HULU WILL ROLL-OUT INTERNATIONALLY IN 2021

After operating in the United States almost exclusively since it launched, Disney expects to start expanding its streaming service Hulu internationally in 2021. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, confirmed the news, although he indicated that the company is prioritizing the global launch of Disney+ before turning its attention to widening Hulu.

"We feel that we need to concentrate on the international launch of Disney+, the marketing and the creation of product for this, and then come in with Hulu, right after or soon after that,"  Iger said during a conference call to discuss the company's quarterly earnings.

Hulu is a key spoke in Disney's new streaming strategy, which centers on Disney+ as the main hub for people to stream almost everything that Disney puts out. While Disney+ is designed to be the family-friendly home for DIsney's output, the company is aiming for Hulu to complement it the go-to for edgier, adult-oriented shows and movies from the company and others.

Disney now has full operational control of Hulu, following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox and subsequent deal with NBCU. That has given it the means to streamline Hulu’s operations and international plans, as it began to do this week with the Hulu reorganization that included the departure of Hulu’s CEO, Randy Freer.