Over the approaching weeks, subscribers of the greatest streaming providers will likely be excited to welcome the launch of the Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery (WDB) streaming bundle within the US, which is able to see Disney Plus, Hulu and Max be a part of forces to make one mixed discounted package deal. However whereas no actual date has been introduced for when the brand new bundle will likely be out there, one streamer has already mentioned it desires no a part of it: Netflix is not going to solely be sitting out of the Disney and WBD package deal nevertheless it additionally plans to remain out of mixing its providers with rivals fully.
In a latest shareholder letter that was despatched out on July 18, the streaming large said that it has no intentions of bundling with rival platforms on account of it limiting its personal providing. “We’ve not bundled Netflix solely with different streamers like Disney Plus or Max as a result of Netflix already operates as a go-to vacation spot for leisure due to the breadth and number of our slate and superior product expertise,” Netflix mentioned within the letter in seemingly response to the Disney Plus, Hulu and Max bundle as famous by Deadline.
Regardless of Netflix’s shareholder letter, the corporate does not fully rule out bundling from its enterprise mannequin, particularly if it is via a community operator. Again in December 2023, a Netflix and Max bundle with adverts grew to become out there for purchasers of Verizon’s new myPlan subscription tier. This was the primary time in years that Netflix had supplied a reduction on any of its platforms and initially signalled to us that it may be the beginning of extra subscription packages.
Extra lately, in Could, Comcast introduced a brand new StreamSaver bundle that may mix Netflix, Apple TV Plus, and Peacock all underneath the identical roof, which is able to solely be out there to Comcast clients. Because of this, Netflix will likely be out there at a “vastly lowered worth” reported Selection, nonetheless information of a launch date has but to be unveiled.
The bulletins of all of the upcoming streaming bundles appear to be sparking a cable TV renaissance, particularly with Netflix contemplating a totally free ad-supported service in Europe and Asia. However given its latest shareholder letters, it’s extremely unlikely that Netflix will contemplate new bundling choices with different providers – and it type of is sensible.
Netflix is preserving its playing cards near its chest
It doesn’t come as a shock why Netflix continues to be the go-to streaming providers for film and TV buffs who, along with its letter to buyers, revealed that it gained eight million subscribers within the second quarter of 2024 – reaching a worldwide whole of 277 million subscribers.
Given Netflix’s reputation on the earth of streaming platforms, becoming a member of forces with opponents Disney Plus, Hulu and Max may end in a significant setback for Netflix’s numbers. It additionally wouldn’t make sense for Netflix to grow to be a part of a streaming bundle like Disney and WBD’s proposal, contemplating that its core intention is to actively compete with Netflix’s rising reputation.
Though Netflix continues to be permitting for “some partnerships” prefer it has with Verizon and Comcast to stay, these are nonetheless solely out there to a really restricted variety of subscribers. And by the seems of issues, it appears as if Netflix has some time to go earlier than it considers branching out with extra bundles to wider audiences.
