Disney is officially retiring the standalone Hulu app as it prepares to roll the entire service into Disney+ by 2026.
After years of bundling and slow integration, the company confirmed that Hulu will be fully absorbed into Disney+, creating one unified streaming experience. This means a single app will house everything—from Marvel and Pixar to FX, ABC, and adult dramas. You’ll still be able to purchase Hulu on its own, but the default path forward is clear: Disney+ is becoming the all-in-one home for Disney’s vast entertainment empire.
Disney completed its buyout of Comcast’s remaining stake in Hulu earlier this summer, paying around $9 billion after arbitration. That final deal paved the way for this full merger.
The move isn’t just about aesthetics or app consolidation. Disney says bringing Hulu and Disney+ onto a single tech platform will improve user experience, reduce subscriber churn, and generate savings through operational efficiencies. That extra cash can then be funneled back into content and platform improvements—something Disney clearly intends to do.
Starting this fall, the Hulu brand will also replace the “Star” tile internationally on Disney+. Meanwhile, Hulu + Live TV is headed for its own evolution. Disney plans to merge its live TV business with Fubo under a new joint venture while keeping both brands active. Eventually, Hulu + Live TV will also be integrated into Disney+.
This is part of a broader retooling of Disney’s streaming strategy. The company also announced it will stop reporting individual subscriber counts for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, following Netflix’s lead. And on August 21, it will officially launch its standalone ESPN streaming service at $29.99/month.
After years of overlap and corporate limbo, Hulu’s identity as a separate app is coming to a close. What began as a scrappy joint venture is now dissolving into a broader Disney strategy: fewer apps, tighter integration, and a streaming platform that acts more like cable TV than ever—just without the cords.