Hulu Acquires Reality Series The Circle From Netflix for a Live Celebrity Reboot

2026-06-11 companies

Los Angeles, Thursday, 11 June 2026.
Hulu has acquired the hit reality show The Circle from Netflix, introducing a real-time format with celebrity contestants and audience voting to aggressively expand its unscripted programming portfolio.

A Strategic Acquisition in the Streaming Wars

In early June 2026, the Walt Disney Co. (DIS) streaming platform Hulu officially secured the rights to the hit reality series ‘The Circle’ [6]. The acquisition marks a direct transfer of proven intellectual property from rival Netflix (NFLX), which originally launched the United States version of the show in 2020 and subsequently ran it for seven seasons before quietly halting production following the October 2024 finale [1][3]. The upcoming eighth season will now transition to Hulu as part of a broader, aggressive expansion into unscripted television formats [1][2].

To reinvigorate the franchise, Hulu is introducing substantial format modifications that mirror the fast-paced nature of live television. Unlike the Netflix iteration, which exclusively featured civilian contestants, the Hulu reboot will integrate celebrities competing side-by-side with everyday players [1][3]. Furthermore, the production will be reimagined as a “fast-turnaround” series, filmed in real time [1][2]. This operational shift allows for the introduction of audience voting—a first for the United States version of the franchise—giving viewers direct influence over the game’s twists and player ratings as they unfold [1][3].

Tracing the Franchise’s Global Footprint

The intellectual property behind ‘The Circle’ has a proven international track record. The format originally debuted in the United Kingdom on Channel 4, where it ran for three seasons between 2018 and 2021 [1][3]. Recognizing its potential, Netflix adapted the show for the American market in 2020, eventually producing 7 seasons [1], outlasting the original UK run of 3 seasons [3] by a total of 4 seasons. The social experiment’s universal appeal also led to localized spin-offs in France and Brazil [1][3].

The Economics of Unscripted Intellectual Property

From an industry perspective, Hulu’s acquisition underscores the escalating value of established unscripted formats within the broader streaming sector [GPT]. Production entities are increasingly leveraging their intellectual property across multiple distributors. The Hulu iteration is backed by a consortium of heavyweights: Studio Lambert, WPP’s Motion Entertainment, and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions [1][3]. Executive producers include Stephen Lambert—whom Mills referred to as the “literal godfather” of the genre—alongside Tim Harcourt, Jack Burgess, and Jamie Horowitz, among others [3][5]. With format and tape sales handled by All3Media International, the move demonstrates that even when a dominant platform like Netflix declines to renew a property, viable and lucrative avenues remain for studios willing to adapt and re-market their assets to eager competitors [3].

Sources

Streaming industry Content acquisition