The TV streaming landscape is changing, with giants in the sector swapping titles, much to fans’ surprise and delight.
For years, TV watchers have had to jump from one streaming platform to another, if they can afford it, to watch shows that may be exclusive to one hub. However, that is about to change.
Disney+ and Hulu viewers will have a more-effortless user experience when a new app that combines titles in one platform launches in March this year, according to Deadline. Newsweek has reached out to Netflix and Disney via email for comment.
Along with a more-fluid viewing experience, the new app, which will be available to Disney Bundle subscribers, will allow users to watch the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, a first for the Disney streaming platform.
Hulu and Netflix will share co-exclusive domestic streaming rights for Grey’s Anatomy, with Netflix having the show’s catalogue before.
This means that Disney fans will be able to enjoy all 19 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy on Hulu from spring 2024. Its extensive back catalog will be available both on Hulu as a standalone platform, and within the Disney Bundle. With season 20 set for release in early 2024 on ABC, new viewers will have a lot to binge-watch.
Hulu also has in-season stacking rights to all ABC series. This means it is the only platform to house the full run of Grey’s Anatomy, as well as having next-day streaming of all episodes in the upcoming new season.
The show swapping is only one of 14 titles that will be shared with the streaming hubs.
In the exchange, Netflix viewers will also get the chance to enjoy some of Disney’s big-hitting shows during an 18-month non-exclusive period. It is part of a short-term domestic content agreement between Disney Entertainment and Netflix.
This means that Netflix viewers will see some shows that Disney subscribers have enjoyed for years.
The 14 well-viewed shows will stay in their usual Disney home and be available on third-party video-on-demand platforms like Netflix.
Shows that will pop up on Netflix include Lost, This Is Us, Prison Break, Archer, How I Met Your Mother, White Collar, and Home Improvement.
The list is completed by The Resident, ESPN 30 for 30, My Wife and Kids, Reba, The Bernie Mac Show, The Hughleys, and The Wonder Years (2022). This will be the first show to join Netflix, with a January 1, 2024 date.
Shows will then land on Netflix throughout 2024, with the exchange seeing Home Improvement as the last to join in early 2025.
The Disney Bundle can be purchased as a duo package with Disney+ and Hulu or a trio, including ESPN+.
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This story was originally published December 12, 2023, 3:43 AM.
source: star-telegram
