Hulu's run is ending after 20 years | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Disney is shutting down the standalone Hulu app by 2026, fully integrating its content into Disney+.
- Hulu content will begin replacing the Star brand in Disney+'s international markets starting October 8th.
- The move is part of Disney's strategy to consolidate its streaming services into a single, all-in-one offering.
- The Hulu brand name will live on globally, marketed as "Hulu on Disney+" for brand recognition.
- The consolidation coincides with significant price increases across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN streaming tiers starting October 21st.
Disney has confirmed the official shutdown of the Hulu standalone app, with all its content scheduled to be fully integrated into Disney+ by 2026, concluding Hulu's run as a major streaming name since its 2007 launch. The transition starts this month, with Hulu replacing the Star brand in international Disney+ markets for adult programming, while US subscribers will see deeper integration within the Disney+ app through ongoing updates. Disney finalized its takeover of Hulu this summer after a deal with Comcast, making the consolidation inevitable, though the Hulu brand name will persist globally as "Hulu on Disney+" due to its strong recognition. This strategic shift aims to streamline Disney's services amid market competition and aligns with recent, significant price increases across its entire streaming portfolio, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN services, effective late October. While separate subscriptions are temporarily available in the US, the long-term vision is a unified Disney+ platform housing all legacy Hulu content.
