Disney launches Hulu-based content brand for creators of colour

Tara Duncan

Disney General Entertainment (DGE) has unveiled Onyx Collective, a new content brand on streaming service Hulu for creators of colour and underrepresented voices, including Oprah Winfrey and Ryan Coogler, to be helmed by Freeform president Tara Duncan.

Duncan, who has been spearheading this effort since it was first announced last year, will continue in her current role, while overseeing the brand, which forms part of DGE’s commitment to inclusive storytelling.

Hulu will serve as the primary home for Onyx Collective content, though the roster of creators under the brand will have access to all Disney platforms, with select titles made available internationally on Disney+ as part of the Star offering.

The first official project under the brand is the recently acquired documentary Summer Of Soul (…Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which is being released theatrically by Searchlight Pictures and will begin streaming on Hulu on 2 July, before heading to Disney+.

The 1619 Project, produced by Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate, based on materials from The New York Times Magazine and Nikole Hannah-Jones’s work of the same name, is also part of the brand and will launch on Hulu on an as-yet unannounced date.

Other Onyx Collective creators will include comedian Natasha Rothwell, who has struck an overall deal, Questlove, Nikole Hannah-Jones and all non-Marvel titles produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity.

“We’re building a home where creators of colour are inspired, empowered and have unparalleled access to reach audiences around the world,” said Duncan. “This artist-first approach will make Onyx Collective synonymous with entertaining, brave and bold ideas told from a distinct point of view. I’m humbled by the opportunity and all of the possibilities.”