Disney has introduced plans to mix content material from its Disney+ and Hulu streaming companies within the US.

The transfer comes after Disney+ misplaced 4 million subscribers within the first three months of the yr, and the agency is below strain to make its streaming enterprise worthwhile.

The house of Mickey Mouse, Star Wars and Marvel films intends to hyperlink Hulu and Disney+ right into a “one-app expertise”.

Plans for the app have met with a blended response from present subscribers.

Some voiced fears on social media that it might result in increased subscription charges when it goes reside on the finish of the yr.

Nonetheless, the corporate stated that Disney+ and Hulu, in addition to its ESPN+ platform, would additionally proceed to be obtainable as standalone companies.

Hulu, collectively owned by Disney and NBCUniversal, is thought for tv reveals pitched at adults, similar to The Handmaid’s Story.

Disney chief govt Bob Iger informed traders on Wednesday that he has had “cordial” talks with NBC’s mum or dad firm, Comcast, about taking full management when the present possession settlement expires subsequent yr.

“I can’t actually say the place they find yourself, solely to say that there appears to be actual worth in having basic leisure mixed with Disney+,” Mr Iger stated. “If in the end Hulu is that answer, we’re bullish about that.”

Since returning to Disney final yr, Mr Iger has been centered on bettering the agency’s monetary efficiency – particularly at Disney+.

Losses on the streaming enterprise had been $659m within the first three months of the yr, down from $1.1bn within the earlier quarter.

However the fall in subscribers was greater than anticipated, sending shares within the firm down about 5% in after-hours buying and selling in New York.

Many of the losses got here from its Hotstar service in Asia, which misplaced streaming rights to Indian cricket matches final yr.

Disney+ additionally misplaced round 300,000 clients within the US and Canada after elevating subscription costs.

Mr Iger stated the improved monetary efficiency mirrored “the strategic adjustments we’ve been making all through the corporate to realign Disney for sustained development and success.”

He beforehand stated Disney+ had reached a “turning level” and would develop into worthwhile by subsequent yr.

Earlier this yr, the leisure large reported its first fall in streaming subscriber numbers and introduced plans to chop 7,000 jobs.

The most recent announcement comes after 1000’s of Hollywood TV and film screenwriters held their first strike in 15 years final week.

They’re calling for higher pay and dealing circumstances because the transition to streaming has upended the normal tv and movie business.

The final writers’ strike was in 2007. It lasted 100 days and price the business an estimated $2bn.

On Wednesday, Disney’s chief monetary officer Christine McCarthy declined to place a determine on how a lot the newest strike may value the corporate.

The walkout has already shut down a number of Disney initiatives, together with these set to run on Disney+.

Disney has poured billions of {dollars} into its streaming platforms in recent times, remodeling it from an organization rooted in conventional tv, films and theme parks into one of many streaming business’s main gamers.

It now has a complete of greater than 231 million subscriptions throughout its three streaming platforms, which additionally embrace the sports-focused ESPN+ and wider leisure web site Hulu.

Disney+ has near 158m subscribers world wide, though that’s nonetheless behind rival Netflix’s 232.5m subscribers.