Disney to phase out Hulu app, merge with Disney+ in 2026

In a significant shift in the streaming landscape, Disney has announced plans to discontinue the Hulu app as a standalone service by 2026. The company revealed that it will fully merge Hulu into its flagship Disney+ platform, a move that marks a new chapter for both services. Starting in the fall of 2025, Hulu will take over the Star brand on Disney+ in international markets. The anticipated combined streaming app, which will integrate the best of both Hulu and Disney+, is set to launch in 2026. Disney executives, including CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston, emphasized that this integration aims to enhance the streaming experience by offering a comprehensive entertainment package that includes top-tier brands, family-friendly programming, news, and leading live sports all within a single app. Iger expressed confidence that this unified platform will lead to a better consumer experience and reduced subscriber churn. He highlighted that both services will operate on one technological platform, creating potential cost efficiencies. Furthermore, Disney is looking to leverage the integration for improved advertising opportunities by bundling ad sales across the combined platform. Additionally, Hulu's live TV service is set to be integrated with Fubo through a proposed joint venture primarily owned by Disney. While Hulu + Live TV and Fubo will be marketed separately for the time being, the plan is to incorporate Hulu’s live offerings into Disney+ by 2026. This integration process is already underway, with Disney+ launching full access to Hulu content in spring 2024, aimed at converting existing Disney+ subscribers to a bundled service. In a related development, Disney has decided to stop disclosing subscriber numbers for its streaming services, following a trend set by other industry giants like Netflix. Moreover, the company has announced that its standalone ESPN streaming service will debut on August 21, priced at $29.99 per month, further expanding its streaming portfolio.