Disney has announced plans to phase out the standalone Hulu app while elevating the Hulu brand on its Disney+ platform. This decision reflects Disney’s commitment to streamlining its services and expanding Hulu’s reach globally.
Beginning October 8, the Hulu brand will replace the Star tile in non-U.S. markets on Disney+. This change precedes a more extensive transformation that Disney aims to unveil in 2026, featuring a fully integrated unified app experience<\/em>. Users can anticipate a gradual introduction of Hulu’s content across Disney+, enhancing accessibility and engagement.
Enhancing user experience through integration
Disney is focused on improving the overall user experience with this rebranding. The shift from Star to Hulu aims to increase recognition of the extensive content library on Disney+ that targets adult audiences. Disney intends to leverage successful marketing strategies from the U.S. and apply them globally.
Visual and navigational upgrades
To support this transition, Disney+ will introduce a more visually engaging home screen. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to create a more intuitive navigation system, allowing users to discover content easily. The company has indicated that these enhancements are just the beginning, with further updates planned to refine the user interface before the anticipated unified app launch.
Disney’s acquisition and future plans for Hulu
This transition follows Disney’s complete acquisition of Hulu, finalized in June through a deal with Comcast. The integration of Hulu into the Disney+ framework is expected to culminate in 2026, when the standalone Hulu service will be discontinued, fully merging its offerings into Disney+. While standalone options for both Disney+ and Hulu will remain available in the U.S., this marks a significant shift in Disney’s streaming service strategy.
Upcoming price adjustments
As part of this strategic shift, Disney has announced upcoming price increases for various subscription plans, effective October 21. The ad-supported Disney+ tier will rise from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, while the premium ad-free version will increase from $15.99 to $18.99. The ad-supported Hulu plan will also rise to $11.99 per month, although its ad-free version will remain at $18.99.
Disney has released an animation showcasing the new user interface on Disney+, integrating Hulu’s content. This emphasizes the company’s commitment to enhancing user engagement and satisfaction. The ambitious plan reflects Disney’s broader strategy to unify its streaming services under the Hulu brand, making it central to the Disney+ ecosystem.
