‘Iger is stuck’: Disney chief debates future of Hulu and ESPN

Disney CEO Bob Iger is considering selling streaming service Hulu and spinning off ESPN to focus on superbrands like Marvel and Star Wars. Hulu and ESPN are assets potentially worth $40bn, and the decision about their future will define Disney's role in the mature streaming era.

March 16, 2023 . 9:08 AM

1 min read

Executives advise Disney CEO Bob Iger to sell streaming service Hulu and spin off ESPN to focus on superbrands like Marvel and Star Wars.
Hulu and ESPN are assets potentially worth $40bn, and the decision about their future will define Disney's role in the mature streaming era.
Rumours suggest that Iger, who defined modern Disney through dealmaking, will seek another big transaction to cement his legacy.
Hulu has 48mn subscribers but is handicapped by its complex ownership structure and the reluctance of old media companies to disrupt their traditional TV units.
ESPN continues to generate more than $10bn in annual revenue, but its subscribers are shrinking as people cancel their cable TV packages.