Disney is set to enhance its streaming portfolio by bringing all past seasons of the acclaimed medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” to Hulu, while also maintaining the show’s presence on Netflix. This move aligns with the official launch of Hulu within the Disney+ app in March 2024, marking a significant step in Disney’s streaming strategy.
Starting in spring 2024, Hulu and Netflix will jointly hold the co-exclusive U.S. streaming rights to all 19 previous seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy,” a result of a new licensing agreement between Disney Entertainment and Netflix.
Notably, Hulu will be the only platform to stream the complete series, including the new episodes from the upcoming 20th season, which will be available after their broadcast on ABC.
Created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by ABC Signature and Shondaland, “Grey’s Anatomy” holds the distinction of being the longest-running medical drama on primetime TV.
Disney’s Content Licensing to Netflix: A Strategic Move
In a broader strategy, Disney Entertainment is entering a short-term U.S. content agreement to license 14 of its library series to Netflix on a nonexclusive basis. This includes popular titles like “The Wonder Years,” “This is Us,” and “My Wife & Kids,” with various premiere dates spanning from January 2024 to February 2025.
Other notable shows in the deal include “ESPN 30 for 30,” “The Resident,” “White Collar,” “Reba,” “Archer,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Lost,” “Prison Break,” “The Hughleys,” “Bernie Mac,” and “Home Improvement.” This move reflects Disney’s willingness to leverage its extensive content library beyond its own platforms, tapping into Netflix’s vast subscriber base.
The One App Experience: Hulu within Disney+
The inclusion of older “Grey’s Anatomy” seasons on Hulu coincides with the official launch of Hulu within the Disney+ app. This integration, already in beta, allows Disney+ subscribers to access most of Hulu’s lineup through any of the Disney+ apps, offering a more streamlined and comprehensive viewing experience.
This “one app” integration is a key part of Disney’s approach to simplify access to its diverse content offerings for subscribers. Disney CEO Bob Iger, during the company’s recent earnings call, emphasized Disney’s selective approach to licensing content to platforms like Netflix.
While Disney ended its previous output deal with Netflix in 2017, it continues to license select titles. Iger clarified that Disney does not plan to license its “core brands” from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars to Netflix, underscoring the importance of these franchises as building blocks for Disney’s streaming business.
This strategy indicates a balancing act between leveraging external platforms for additional revenue and preserving the exclusivity and value of Disney’s key brands.
