Disney is phasing out its standalone Hulu app. While Disney has offered separate Hulu and Disney+ apps, it now plans to offer a unified app that includes both streaming services.
Disney will debut the new app in 2026, reports Variety. However, Disney+ and Hulu customers will still be able to subscribe separately to either service.
“The company is taking major steps forward in streaming with the upcoming launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service, our just-announced plans with the NFL, and our forthcoming integration of Hulu into Disney+, creating a truly differentiated streaming proposition that harnesses the highest-caliber brands and franchises, general entertainment, family programming, news, and industry-leading sports content,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said during the company’s third quarter earnings call.
The single Disney+ app with Hulu will deliver an “improved consumer experience,” which will lower churn, Iger said. Both services will be “on one tech platform,” which will result in cost synergies, according to Iger. In addition, Disney — which already sells ads for Disney+ and Hulu together — sees new opportunities for bundling ad sales by fully combining them, he said.
In their prepared remarks, the Disney execs said, “By creating a truly differentiated streaming offering, we will be providing subscribers tremendous choice, convenience, quality, and enhanced personalization. This will enhance our ability to continue to grow profitability and margins in our entertainment streaming business through expected higher engagement, lower churn, and advertising revenue potential, as well as operational efficiencies that over time may result in savings that we can reinvest back into the business.”
In related news, starting in the fall of 2025, Hulu will replace the Star streaming service on Disney+ internationally.
Disney+ and Hulu have a combined 183 million paid subscriptions, up 2.6 million since last quarter.
On Wednesday, Disney also announced that it will no longer report streaming subscriber numbers for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, following the lead of Netflix and other streaming services.
