Disney has revealed major changes to its streaming strategy, with plans to merge Hulu fully into the Disney+ platform by 2026. This means viewers will no longer need to switch between two separate apps—that content from both services will be accessible through one unified interface, enhancing personalization and ease of use.
Despite the integration, Disney assures users that they will still be able to maintain stand-alone subscriptions for either Hulu or Disney+, depending on their preference. Internationally, Hulu will replace the Star brand on Disney+, marking a significant push for Hulu’s global visibility.
This shift follows Disney’s full acquisition of Hulu earlier in 2025. The integration is expected to reduce operational redundancy, support more efficient ad targeting, improve viewer retention, and cut costs—savings that can be reinvested into its streaming offerings.
At the same time, Disney is rolling out a new standalone ESPN streaming app in August 2025, which can be bundled with the combined Disney+ and Hulu service. In tandem, the company will be moving away from disclosing quarterly subscriber numbers and instead focus on reporting profitability and revenue trends.
