The beat goes on for Hulu and proud parents Walt Disney (DIS), 21st Century Fox (FOXA) and Comcast (CMCSA) — which opted not to sell the video streamer in 2013. Hulu added AT&T (T) on Wednesday to a spate of new agreements involving mobile apps, Web streaming deals with broadband companies, and content agreements. Hulu aims to be a more formidable rival to Netflix (NFLX) and Time Warner’s (TWX) HBO. Original programming and content generally
Walt Disney’s (DIS) theme parks have Mickey Mouse and his friends to entertain youngsters, and now Comcast ‘s (CMCSA) Universal theme parks have Nintendo’s Mario Bros. and company to do the same. Nintendo (NTDOY) and Universal Parks & Resorts on Thursday announced plans “to bring the world of Nintendo to life at Universal theme parks — creating spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds.” The two companies didn’t provide details about what the partnership will involve. But one can imagine rides based on family friendly games like “Mario Kart” and “Donkey Kong Country” as well as costumed characters roaming the parks for photo ops.
ESPN is suing Verizon Communications (VZ), alleging the telecom broke its distribution agreement with the Walt Disney (DIS)-owned sports network by unbundling ESPN from its flagship FiOS TV package. Verizon earlier had said it has the right to provide ESPN in a so-called skinny bundle under the existing contract. But 21st Century Fox (FOXA) and Comcast’s (CMCSA) NBCUniversal have also said Verizon’s plans violate their contracts. It’s the latest