Below is a table of audience demand multipliers as reported by Parrot Analytics for Hulu’s original series, Disney’s mostly adult-oriented TV streaming service. A 1.0 multiplier is the average for all shows past and present, and is updated on a rolling 30-day basis. The numbers seen in this table are as reported on May 29, 2021. Notable changes from the most recent edition are the addition of Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., as well as a surge in audience demand for Shrill. Let us know what you think by leaving a reaction and comment!
Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.
Marvel’s new animated series is off to a good start on Hulu, with an audience demand similar to comedies The Great and PEN15 just one week after its release. It does not have international appeal as of now, but the fact Disney/Hulu produces and has full distribution rights for the show certainly helps its outlook. Marvel is a well-known brand that has had shows on many different linear networks and streaming services, so Hulu is likely pleased there is an audience for a Marvel show on the service. My first prediction for the show is Renew, and that will very likely continue to be the case.
Into the Dark
Into the Dark has had erratic scheduling this season. It started in October 2019 and ran through July 2020, before taking a break, with another new episode released February 12, 2021 and the finale of March 26, 2021. It’s been over a year and a half since the season premiered, and it is still yet to be renewed. This is because of the setup of the premise, as every episode takes place in the same month as a holiday that inspired the episode. COVID-19 has taken the blame for the long hiatus between the first ten episodes and the final two. There appears to be demand for more episodes, but Disney does not own a production company behind the series and Hulu does not seem to be in a rush to renew it. Even though it’s an anthology, being on a streaming service I’m guessing Into the Dark will secure one last renewal.
Let’s Talk About Distribution Rights
You’ve probably noticed that there are additional columns in Hulu Renew/Cancel than there were in all previous editions. This is an attempt to make predictions as accurate as possible, relying on more than simply the audience demand figures. It is worth noting that the two shows with the highest audience demand are produced by companies not owned by Disney. It is imaginable Hulu’s main source, if not only source, of income for these shows is ad revenue. Luckily for Hulu, they can use these popular shows to attract more subscribers; that’s not the case for a broadcast network like the Disney-owned ABC. The point is that while The Handmaid’s Tale and Animaniacs both have very high audience demand, Disney is not the only one that benefits. In fact, I would not be surprised if Solar Opposites is Hulu’s most profitable show, being fully owned, animated, and with international appeal. I would also not be surprised if more Hulu shows in the future are fully owned; with the new acquisition of MGM, Amazon would love to have the next The Handmaid’s Tale on its own service instead of licensing it out to Hulu.