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Hulu now has over 17 million subscribers

Hulu now has over 17 million subscribers

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Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Hulu just provided an update on its subscriber base as of the end of 2017: the streaming company now has over 17 million paying customers spread across both its on-demand and live TV services. That’s an increase of 5 million since Hulu last gave a number on total subscribers — 12 million — in May 2016. Put next to streaming leaders like Netflix and Spotify, Hulu’s growth over a year and a half looks very modest. But remember that those companies are global businesses, while Hulu still remains largely US-based. Hulu claims its total audience has reached 54 million unique viewers.

The company will reportedly fall under Disney ownership if the colossal deal between Disney and 21st Century Fox is approved. But Hulu has so far refused to comment on that situation — or what will happen if Comcast voices displeasure with the arrangement once its FCC-imposed restrictions against influencing Hulu’s direction are lifted later this year. (Comcast currently owns around a third of Hulu, and Disney would control two-thirds if the Fox deal goes through.) Disney has said it intends to make Hulu a core piece of its streaming future.

For now, Hulu says the outlook is strong; its advertising unit hit revenues of over $1 billion in 2017 for the first time ever. The company describes itself as “the only streaming service that offers TV fans a complete television experience, all in one place, on all of their favorite devices.” Its catalog now includes 75,000 episodes of TV (counting originals), and Hulu says that’s double what its competitors can offer. Last, this company sure does have some affluent customers. Hulu claims its median customer is 32 and has a comfortable household income of $92,000.