• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

The Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu Bundle Is the First Bomb Dropped in the Video Streaming War

By
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 7, 2019, 2:14 PM ET

Disney said on Tuesday that its upcoming streaming service, Disney+, would be available as part of a bundle that also includes ESPN and Hulu.

When Disney+ premieres on Nov. 12, the bundle will cost $12.99—the same as Netflix’s monthly streaming subscription. Disney CEO Bob Iger has called that a coincidence, unlikely as that may seem.

Whatever the case, Disney+ and its related bundle is a direct assault on Netflix’s dominance in streaming. Analysts at the investment bank Needham predict that subscribers to Disney’s new service will “mostly” be switching from Netflix.

Predictably, Netflix’s stock fell 2% in mid-day trading on Wednesday. That continues a tough run for Netflix’s shares, which also cratered on weak subscriber growth in mid-July, even without competition from Disney.

Disney’s stock was also down more than 5% Wednesday, but that’s due to unrelated losses in its new Fox film unit.

Analysts are increasingly concerned that, as competition heats up, Netflix’s first-mover advantage will fade. The key question is whether Netflix’s in-house content like Stranger Things can compensate for shows that it’s losing, both from Disney and other sources, because of expiring licensing deals.

Disney is the biggest single factor in Netflix’s uncertain outlook, though. Disney first announced its plans for a streaming service in 2017, at the same time that it said it would remove its huge library of films and T.V. shows from Netflix. That includes traditional animated films like Lilo & Stitch, computer-animated films from Pixar, Marvel movies like Iron Man, and Star Wars films and shows produced by Lucasfilm. A lot of Disney content remains on Netflix, but those shows and films will be gone by the end of this year.

Instead, they’ll all live on Disney+, which will be offered as a standalone subscription for $6.99. That would be enough to put pressure on Netflix, but the Hulu and ESPN+ bundle is even more of a threat. Hulu, which is now wholly controlled by Disney, features first-run network television shows like Fresh Off the Boat as well as its own original programming. ESPN+ features niche live sports—less football, more rugby—in addition to sports-related shows.

That makes it a direct attack on Netflix’s goal of being a single destination for viewers. “After years of having the streaming world to itself, and green-lighting everything it could to have the widest appeal around the world, Netflix now has to pivot hard and specialize its content fast, to create any type of defensible moat it can,” said Stephan Paternot, CEO of film-financing platform Slated. “Until then its growth is going slow internationally, and struggle in the U.S.”

The breadth of the Disney+ bundle could also make it a strong counterpoint to the growing threat of ‘subscription fatigue.’ Since Netflix pioneered the concept, new services have proliferated wildly (here’s a list of more than 100), from niche art-film collections to network spinoffs like CBS All Access. In theory, customers could build their own ideal viewing menu from these disparate services, but managing them all separately is a headache.

Offering a simpler alternative is the premise of AT&T Now, formerly DirecTV Now, essentially a standard cable package delivered online. AT&T Now sorely lacks the buzz of Disney’s planned service, and it’s a lot pricier—starting at $50 monthly. But it could appeal to people who want the convenience of on-demand streaming without the hassle of all those subscriptions.

Similarly, Apple’s planned TV+ will include its own programming while offering specific channels as add-ons, much as Amazon’s Prime does now. That flexibility under one umbrella may be the sweet spot between traditional cable lock-in and the new Wild West of multi-subscription chaos. But Apple’s service reportedly won’t offer Netflix as one of its add-ons.

While Disney’s bundle may not be as comprehensive as AT&T Now, or offer the flexibility of Apple TV+ or Prime, it could be enough for many consumers. By contrast, Netflix’s shrinking library of content from Hollywood studios has it looking less like a single destination for cord-cutters, and more like one option on a crowded menu.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—What you need to know about 8chan, the controversial site tied to the El Paso shooting

—Verizon’s unlimited plans are getting cheaper. Here’s what you should know

—What CEOs, bankers, and tech execs think about a coming recession

—How an alleged Amazon theft ring got the goods

—Boeing adds a second flight control computer to the 737 Max

Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune‘s daily digest on the business of tech.

About the Author
By David Z. Morris
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
America's $38 trillion national debt 'exacerbates generational imbalances' with Gen Z and millennials paying the price, warns think tank
By Eleanor PringleDecember 16, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
As millions of Gen Zers face unemployment, McDonald's CEO dishes out some tough love career advice for navigating the market: ‘You've got to make things happen for yourself’
By Preston ForeDecember 16, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Innovation
An MIT roboticist who cofounded bankrupt Roomba maker iRobot says Elon Musk's vision of humanoid robot assistants is 'pure fantasy thinking'
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezDecember 16, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
AI
IBM, AWS veteran says 90% of your employees are stuck in first gear with AI, just asking it to ‘write their mean email in a slightly more polite way’
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezDecember 16, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Exclusive: After citations against Elon Musk’s Boring Company were suddenly withdrawn, federal regulators are now investigating Nevada OSHA
By Jessica MathewsDecember 16, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Banking
Trump turns on CBS, Kushner pulls out and Paramount's hostile bid for Warner Bros. shows signs of collapse
By Eva RoytburgDecember 16, 2025
1 day ago

Latest in Tech

DOJ
Bankingfraud
$1 billion fraud revealed with guilty pleas from subprime auto lender Tricolor
By Larry Neumeister and The Associated PressDecember 17, 2025
2 hours ago
A statue of the Oscars statuette
Arts & EntertainmentYouTube
YouTube is giving the Oscars the lifeline it desperately needs
By Dave SmithDecember 17, 2025
3 hours ago
Ray Dalio attends the Fortune Global Forum Riyadh 2025 on October 27, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (
Personal FinanceRay Dalio
Ray Dalio donates $75 million to ‘Trump Accounts’ as Scott Bessent leads ‘50 State Challenge’ to invest in America’s kids
By Thalia Beaty and The Associated PressDecember 17, 2025
4 hours ago
AIAmazon
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announces departure of AI exec Rohit Prasad in leadership shake-up
By Sharon GoldmanDecember 17, 2025
5 hours ago
Jeff Bezos attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.
AIAmazon
Experts say Amazon is playing the long game with its potential $10 billion OpenAI deal: ‘ChatGPT is still seen as the Kleenex of AI’
By Eva RoytburgDecember 17, 2025
6 hours ago
Trump points his finger into the crowd from behind the presidential podium
Big TechSilicon Valley
The Trump administration says it could go after Spotify if Europe doesn’t back off American tech companies
By Dave SmithDecember 17, 2025
8 hours ago