Hulu CEO Freer set to exit

Randy Freer, CEO of streaming service Hulu, is stepping down from his role amid a reorganisation at parent company The Walt Disney Company.

Randy Freer

Disney, which acquired Hulu after buying assets belonging to 21st Century Fox last year, plans to integrate the platform more closely with its direct-to-consumer and international business under Kevin Mayer.

Freer, who has been CEO of Hulu since 2017, will remain in his role for the next few weeks to assist with the transition. Before joining Hulu, Freer was president and chief operating officer at Fox Networks Group.

Other Hulu execs will now report directly to Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international division.

“I want to thank Randy for his leadership over the last two years as CEO and for his collaboration the past several months to ensure an exceptionally bright future for Hulu,” said Mayer, chairman of Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International.

“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 organisation will allow us to more effectively and efficiently deploy resources, rapidly grow our presence outside the US and continue to relentlessly innovate.”

The news follows moves by Disney last year to bring Hulu’s scripted originals content team under the remit of the Mouse House’s television unit.