Hulu to Serve as Official Streaming Destination for 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture

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June 28, 2022

By Shanelle Genai, The Root

This news comes not too long after it was announced that The Walt Disney Company would be the exclusive entertainment sponsor for the 2022 ESSENCE Festival.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that popular streaming platform Hulu would be the official streaming partner for this year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture, taking place over the July 4th weekend.

Per a press release sent to The Root, this marks the first time ever that ESSENCE has made programming from its iconic Festival available on a streaming platform. Certain daytime programming like panel discussions and nightly musical performances will be available exclusively to Hulu subscribers to livestream at no additional cost (but you do need to be signed up on one of their plans to view the festivities.) The “ESSENCE FEST PRIMETIME” livestream will run on the platform July 1 – 3 from 7:00pm-11:59pm CT.

In addition to hosting the livestream, Hulu will also have a special presence on-site at the Festival. They’ll be providing guests with an immersive experience at “The Rink @ The Hulu Motel,” a roller skating rink filled with interactive touchpoints, giveaways, and content-themed bites and drinks. Skaters will also be treated to live performances by DJ OHSO and DJ DIAMOND KUTS. The three-day activation will be open through the entire weekend beginning at 12 noon until 7:00pm to guests 21 and older at the New Orleans Civic Theatre.

Finish reading about the festival and this announcenment.

Black entertainment has been abuzz this year: BET+ recently hosted a Martin reunion. Disney also debuted an all-Black version of The Lion King at one of its parks.

More breaking news here.

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