The Kardashian-Jenners built dynastic wealth off TV deals, and their new pact with streaming superpower Disney is the latest move in expanding their $2 billion empire

Hillary HoffowerDec 15, 2020, 23:01 IST

The Kardashians are moving to Disney's Hulu service.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The Kardashian-Jenners signed a multiyear deal with Disney to produce "new global content" that will stream on its Hulu and Disney Star platforms, according to a Disney press release.
The content will air in late 2021, after the final season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" on E!, for which Kris Jenner signed multimillion-dollar deals over the course of 14 years.
The deal terms weren't disclosed, but Jenner likely made a lucrative move in switching from cable to streaming.
TV deals were a major factor in Jenner building her family into a media and retail empire worth an estimated $2 billion.

Love them or hate them, the Kardashian-Jenner clan is here to stay.

Three months after they announced that their hit E! reality show, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," would wrap up its final season in 2021, Disney announced it had signed a deal a multiyear deal with the family to produce "new global content" that will stream on Hulu and Disney's Star platforms in late 2021.

Deal terms were not disclosed. Representatives for the Kardashians, Disney, and Hulu all declined to comment on the deal.

The Kardashian-Jenners have earned a reputation of "being famous for being famous," but the family has become one of Hollywood's most successful family empires in the last 20 years by building massive entertainment and retail brands. Family matriarch and "momager" Kris Jenner has signed 14 years and 20 seasons worth of multimillion-dollar deals with E!, while parlaying that show's popularity into retail business ventures, influencer deals, and endorsement opportunities for her daughters.

TV money may be a fraction of the cumulative estimated $2 billion net worth for the family - Kris, along with Kim Kardashian West, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie and Kendall Jenner - but it laid the foundation for the empire.

There's no doubt the move from cable to streaming was a financially strategic step for Kris. Here's a look back at how media deals helped build the family's wealth.

In 2007, Kris Jenner worked with Ryan Seacrest to conceptualize a show about her family, inspired by "The Osbournes," and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" was born.

Chris Polk/Contributor/Getty Images

It's not known how much the original contract was for, but the show was an instant hit. E! renewed it for a second season within a month of its premiere date. By April 2012, they signed a three-year deal that took them up to season nine.

Matt Sayles/AP

It's not known how much the original contract was for, but the show was an instant hit. E! renewed it for a second season within a month of its premiere date. By April 2012, they signed a three-year deal that took them up to season nine.

In 2015, the Kardashian-Jenners re-signed with E! in a reported $80 million deal for four more seasons, per The Hollywood Reporter. Page Six cited the deal higher, at $100 million, calling it the highest deal in TV history for a reality brand.

The Kardashian-Jenner sisters embodied the Spice Girls back in June. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 3

In 2015, the Kardashian-Jenners re-signed with E! in a reported $80 million deal for four more seasons, per The Hollywood Reporter. Page Six cited the deal higher, at $100 million, calling it the highest deal in TV history for a reality brand.

The show had its 10th anniversary in 2017. The family renewed its deal with E! for another three years. Reports originally said the deal was worth $150 million, but an insider told The Hollywood Reporter it was less than $100 million.

The show had its 10th anniversary in 2017. The family renewed its deal with E! for another three years. Reports originally said the deal was worth $150 million, but an insider told The Hollywood Reporter it was less than $100 million.

But earnings from the show are just a fraction of the family's estimated $2 billion net worth. What the show has ultimately done for the Kardashians is open up opportunities for more lucrative business ventures.

Kylie Jenner visits Houston Ulta Beauty to promote the exclusive launch of Kylie Cosmetics with the beauty retailer. Getty Images/Rick Kern

But earnings from the show are just a fraction of the family's estimated $2 billion net worth. What the show has ultimately done for the Kardashians is open up opportunities for more lucrative business ventures.

In September 2020, the family announced it wouldn't be renewing its contract with E! After 14 years and 20 seasons, and "Keeping up With the Kardashians" would end in 2021.

Bravo/Contributor/Getty Images

In September 2020, the family announced it wouldn't be renewing its contract with E! After 14 years and 20 seasons, and "Keeping up With the Kardashians" would end in 2021.

But the Kardashian-Jenners will still be on TV. In December 2020, Disney announced a multiyear deal with the family to produce "new global content" that will stream on Hulu. There's no word on the deal's worth, but it looks like another brick in the empire.

Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, and Kim Kardashian West. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

But the Kardashian-Jenners will still be on TV. In December 2020, Disney announced a multiyear deal with the family to produce "new global content" that will stream on Hulu. There's no word on the deal's worth, but it looks like another brick in the empire.

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The Kardashian-Jenners built dynastic wealth off TV deals, and their new pact with streaming superpower Disney is the latest move in expanding their $2 billion empire

In 2007, Kris Jenner worked with Ryan Seacrest to conceptualize a show about her family, inspired by "The Osbournes," and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" was born.

It's not known how much the original contract was for, but the show was an instant hit. E! renewed it for a second season within a month of its premiere date. By April 2012, they signed a three-year deal that took them up to season nine.

In 2015, the Kardashian-Jenners re-signed with E! in a reported $80 million deal for four more seasons, per The Hollywood Reporter. Page Six cited the deal higher, at $100 million, calling it the highest deal in TV history for a reality brand.

The show had its 10th anniversary in 2017. The family renewed its deal with E! for another three years. Reports originally said the deal was worth $150 million, but an insider told The Hollywood Reporter it was less than $100 million.

But earnings from the show are just a fraction of the family's estimated $2 billion net worth. What the show has ultimately done for the Kardashians is open up opportunities for more lucrative business ventures.

In September 2020, the family announced it wouldn't be renewing its contract with E! After 14 years and 20 seasons, and "Keeping up With the Kardashians" would end in 2021.

But the Kardashian-Jenners will still be on TV. In December 2020, Disney announced a multiyear deal with the family to produce "new global content" that will stream on Hulu. There's no word on the deal's worth, but it looks like another brick in the empire.