Sitcoms, dramas and other content from Fox Corporation’s flagship broadcast network will remain on the Walt Disney Company’s general entertainment streaming service Hulu for at least a few more years.
On Monday, Fox and Disney said it had reached an extension to continue serving Hulu customers shows like “The Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Masked Singer,” “Accused,” “9-1-1,” “9-1-1: Lone Star” and “Family Guy” one day after they air on television.
As part of the deal, Hulu will promote Fox broadcast content heavily within the streaming service, and Fox will promote Hulu on television as a streaming destination for its prime-time programs.
“Our long-standing, valued partnership with Hulu consistently generates impressive results and creates an important pathway for our scripted, unscripted and animated series to maximize viewer reach,” Rob Wade, the CEO of Fox Entertainment, said in a statement. “Under this new deal, Fox solidifies its longer-term streaming strategy, while harnessing the power and strength of both Hulu and Fox to better serve our audiences and bring visibility to premium content across our streaming and linear platforms.”
Joe Earley, the president of Hulu, said the streamer will continue to serve as a cornerstone service that delivers programs from multiple broadcast networks one day after they air on television.
“Fox has always been a great partner, but now Rob and his teams are leveling-up our relationship with their new marketing commitments, helping viewers understand where they can watch all of these shows,” Earley said.
Both sides effectively need each other: Of the four major broadcast networks, Fox is the only one to not have a subscription-based, direct-to-consumer streaming service. Instead, Fox has focused on building up its free, ad-supported streaming service, Tubi, while relegating premium Fox broadcast content to cable, satellite and Hulu.
The deal also helps Disney, which recently found itself with a deficit of content for Hulu after Comcast pulled next-day NBC shows from the service and made the exclusive to Peacock late last year.
