Instead of selling the popular streaming service, NBCU, 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney have decided to cancel the auction after final bidding.
The companies will keep their joint ownership and also provide a $750 million cash infusion to help propel future earnings and growth.
"Hulu has emerged as one of the most consumer friendly, technologically innovative viewing platforms in the digital era. As its evolution continues, Disney and its partners are committing resources to enable Hulu to achieve its maximum potential," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.
"We believe the best path forward for Hulu is a meaningful recapitalization that will further accelerate its growth under the current ownership structure," added Chase Carey, President and Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Fox. "We had meaningful conversations with a number of potential partners and buyers, each with impressive plans and offers to match, but with 21st Century Fox and Disney fully aligned in our collective vision and goals for the business, we decided to continue to empower the Hulu team, in this fashion, to continue the incredible momentum they've built over the last few years."
The site, which launched in 2008, has over 400 content partners, a free and premium subscription model and sees over 30 million monthly unique visitors. The service had $690 million revenue last year.
"Hulu has emerged as one of the most consumer friendly, technologically innovative viewing platforms in the digital era. As its evolution continues, Disney and its partners are committing resources to enable Hulu to achieve its maximum potential," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.
"We believe the best path forward for Hulu is a meaningful recapitalization that will further accelerate its growth under the current ownership structure," added Chase Carey, President and Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Fox. "We had meaningful conversations with a number of potential partners and buyers, each with impressive plans and offers to match, but with 21st Century Fox and Disney fully aligned in our collective vision and goals for the business, we decided to continue to empower the Hulu team, in this fashion, to continue the incredible momentum they've built over the last few years."
The site, which launched in 2008, has over 400 content partners, a free and premium subscription model and sees over 30 million monthly unique visitors. The service had $690 million revenue last year.
