The deal, which took over two years to finalize, ends a lengthy dispute between the two companies, culminating in an additional $438.7 million payment by Disney after a contractual appraisal process.
The buyout follows an initial payment of $8.61 billion in December 2023, which was part of the agreed-upon $27.5 billion floor value set in 2019. However, the two companies’ valuations diverged, prompting arbitration to determine the final price. As per the final decision made on June 9, 2025, Disney will pay the remaining $438.7 million to acquire Comcast’s stake in Hulu. The acquisition is expected to close by July 24, 2025.
Disney had previously agreed to assume full operational control of Hulu in 2019 after its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, making it the majority owner with two-thirds of the streaming service. Comcast, which had been involved with Hulu since its inception in 2007, had initially valued its stake higher. If the bank hired by Comcast had determined the value, Disney would have had to pay an additional $5 billion.
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, expressed satisfaction with the deal’s resolution. “We are pleased this is finally resolved. Completing the Hulu acquisition paves the way for a deeper integration with Disney+ and ESPN, offering greater value for consumers,” he said in a statement.
Comcast, in turn, acknowledged Hulu’s role in its streaming journey. “Hulu was a great start for us in streaming, generating nearly $10 billion in proceeds and creating a significant audience for NBCUniversal’s content,” a Comcast spokesperson stated.
This buyout further consolidates Disney’s control over Hulu, as the company moves toward a more unified streaming strategy integrating Hulu’s general entertainment with its other platforms.