Another major shake-up is coming to the streaming world! Time to say goodbye to the Hulu app as it prepares to merge with Disney+ fully. The long-anticipated merger between Disney+ and Hulu is finally happening.
Disney announced that the two streaming giants will officially integrate into a single, unified platform launching in 2026, following The Walt Disney Companyâs complete acquisition of Hulu.
Hulu Users, Take Note: What to Expect From the Disney+ Merger
While users will still have the option to subscribe to Hulu or Disney+ separately, the classic Hulu app will eventually be phased out entirely, making room for the streamlined Disney+ experience.
âToday, we are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+,â Disney CEO Bob Iger said during an earnings call, reports Variety.
âThis will create an impressive package of entertainment⦠pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news, and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.â
What to Expect From the Unified Disney+ App
The merged app promises a more personalized and polished interface. Disney plans to roll out new features and homepage customization, enhancing the overall streaming experience for subscribers.
âWork is already underway to continue enhancing our technology,â said CFO Hugh Johnston, âand over the coming months, we will be implementing numerous improvements within the Disney+ app.â
One notable update is that, starting in fall 2025, Hulu will replace the Star tile on Disney+ internationally, further streamlining branding across regions.
In another major shift, Disney will no longer report streaming subscriber numbers, following the lead of platforms like Netflix.
Disney Gains Full Ownership of Hulu After Years of Negotiation
Hulu first launched in 2007, with Comcast as a major stakeholder. But after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, its stake jumped from 30% to 60%, paving the way for a full buyout.
In 2023, Disney formally announced plans to purchase the remaining stake in Hulu. However, CEO Bob Iger also floated the idea of selling it, leading to a year of back-and-forth negotiations over bundled streaming strategies and content pullbacks.
The final agreement was struck in June 2025, when Disney purchased Comcastâs remaining share for $438.7 million, after already investing $8.6 billion in 2023. With that, Disney officially secured 100% ownership of Hulu.
What This Means for Viewers & the Streaming Landscape
Once the unified Disney+ app launches in 2026, users will have access to a massive content library under one roof, ranging from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars to FX, ABC, Hulu Originals, and live sports through ESPN+.
While the original Hulu app will shut down, subscribers who prefer standalone plans will still be able to subscribe to Hulu or Disney+ individually.
As Disney+ becomes a more comprehensive entertainment hub, the merger marks a new era in the streaming wars, where convenience, content variety, and user experience are king.
The post Major Streaming Service Is Going Away appeared first on EntertainmentNow.