Hulu CEO Steps Down as Streaming Service Gets Moved Under Streaming Unit With Disney Plus
In May, Disney took full control of Hulu, after acquiring controlling rights from Comcast. Now, the company is taking their first step integrating it with their other streaming plans. Hulu’s CEO Randy Freer, who took over the job in October 2017, is stepping down.
With the change, all of Disney’s streaming products, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ are now under Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International.
“I want to thank Randy for his leadership the last two years as CEO and for his collaboration the past several months to ensure an exceptionally bright future for Hulu,” said Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, The Walt Disney Company. “With the successful launch of Disney+, we are now focused on the benefits of scale within and across our portfolio of DTC businesses. Further integrating the immensely talented Hulu team into our organization will allow us to more effectively and efficiently deploy resources, rapidly grow our presence outside the U.S. and continue to relentlessly innovate. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity ahead, and I am confident in our ability to accelerate our positive momentum and better serve consumers.”
Under Freer’s direction, the company saw total subscribers from 17 million in January 2018 to 28.5 million at the end of September 2019. Prior to joining Hulu, Freer was the President and CEO of Fox Networks Group, including FX and Nat Geo, which are now owned by Disney.
“I am grateful for my time at Hulu, and the opportunity to work and learn with an incredibly talented and dedicated group of people. I also want to thank Kevin and The Walt Disney Company, as well as NBCUniversal and Fox, for providing me the opportunity to lead Hulu during a time of tremendous growth and significant industry transformation. Hulu has established itself as a leading choice for consumers looking for the best TV service available today, and I am confident Hulu will thrive inside Disney under DTCI’s leadership and resources.”