Disney has officially announced a significant change in its streaming strategy: Hulu will cease to exist as a standalone app by 2026. This decision solidifies Disney+ as the primary streaming hub for the company, integrating Hulu’s offerings completely into the Disney+ platform.
The announcement ends prolonged speculation regarding Hulu’s future, confirming that its standalone app will be discontinued and all Hulu content will be merged into Disney+. Starting in 2026, subscribers will find Hulu programming exclusively available on the Disney+ app, eliminating the need for separate access through the Hulu platform. While an exact date for the app’s discontinuation remains unspecified, this shift underscores a trend toward consolidation of Disney’s streaming services.
As part of this transition, Disney is phasing out older subscription structures that allowed users to access Disney+ at a reduced rate via Hulu. In the new model, Disney+ will be positioned as the primary service, with Hulu content incorporated as an option. This transition means subscribers will need to manage their accounts—billing and plan selection—through Disney+, which reflects a broader effort by Disney to streamline its streaming ecosystem and consolidate user account management.
For current Hulu subscribers, the primary impact will be on the way content is accessed rather than the availability of content itself. While Hulu originals and other shows will remain, users may experience changes in navigation, recommendations, and layout when accessing this content through Disney+. Disney has reassured subscribers that profiles and viewing histories will transfer, but stresses that the viewing experience may not mirror that of the standalone Hulu app. Additionally, as Disney standardizes its pricing bundles, some users could potentially face increased costs.
This strategic move aligns with trends observed throughout the streaming industry, where media companies are increasingly consolidating platforms to enhance operational efficiency and centralize user data. Operating both Hulu and Disney+ as separate apps necessitated duplicate systems for technology, billing, and customer support. By consolidating everything under the Disney+ brand, Disney aims to gain better control over user engagement, advertising strategies, and subscription management.
While the Hulu brand will persist within Disney+, the elimination of the standalone app marks a transformative moment in streaming, as Hulu was foundational in the evolution of cord-cutting and next-day television consumption. As the transition progresses towards 2026, millions of subscribers will see a new way of accessing Disney-owned content, reinforcing Disney+ as the unified streaming platform of the future.