Disney Announces Hulu Will Become Part of Disney+ in 2026

After becoming one of the big names in the streaming world, Hulu’s days as a standalone app are now drawing closer to an end. Disney confirms that Hulu will be fully integrated into Disney+ in 2026, with the transition process starting immediately in October — and the initial step beginning on October 8, when Hulu will replace the Star brand as the adult entertainment hub in Disney+’s international markets.

What changes — a brief overview

• Full integration in 2026: In 2026, Disney plans to discontinue the Hulu app and platform; the entire Hulu catalog will be available within Disney+.
• Transition starts October 8: Hulu will become the global General Entertainment brand on Disney+, taking over the role previously held by Star outside the US.
• Hulu app disappears, brand does not: Although the Hulu app will be discontinued, the Hulu on Disney+ brand will be marketed globally — Disney hopes the Hulu name is better known in international markets than Star.
• Until integration is complete: For the time being, customers can still subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu separately.

Brief background

Hulu was launched in 2007 and grew into a significant player in streaming services—known for offering current season episodes and original productions like The Handmaid’s Tale. Last summer, Disney completed full acquisition of Hulu after a long-standing deal with Comcast, paving the way for the strategic consolidation announced now.

Changes to the user experience on Disney+

Disney promises a series of product updates that will gradually introduce Hulu integration within the Disney+ app. Some elements already introduced or coming soon include:

• Simpler navigation and UX design: A new navigation bar at the top of the main page, with a “For You” tab as the home screen showing personalized recommendations. Separate tabs for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN (depending on subscription package) make it easier to explore each catalog.
• Live Hub: Quick access to news, sports, and 24/7 live content through the main vertical navigation.
• Clear content labels: Tags like “Season Finale,” “New Series,” and “New Movie” to highlight trending or unique shows.
• More personalized recommendations: A personalization engine claimed to continuously learn from user viewing habits, focused on the new “For You” tab. User profiles are made more prominent so recommendations match each profile’s preferences.
• More visual and dynamic home page: New hero carousel, prominent brand bar, and cinematic-style poster artwork to highlight characters and stories.
• Mobile focus: Planned launch of iOS widgets and a mobile-first experience, plus exclusive mobile features next year.

Impact and Disney’s goals

This consolidation move marks a major strategic shift for Disney: instead of managing multiple apps and brands in parallel, the company is moving toward a single unified app that combines their content assets. The goal is clear — to make it easier for customers to find entertainment while strengthening Disney’s competitive position in the increasingly crowded streaming market.

For users, this means more centralized access and a revamped interface to accommodate a broader spectrum of content—from family and children (Disney’s core value) to adult programming that has been Hulu’s strength. For the industry, this consolidation confirms a major trend: content aggregation and brand simplification as a response to competition and market fragmentation in streaming.