The streaming landscape is about to get another shake-up. Disney has confirmed that by 2026, Hulu will be fully integrated into Disney+, marking the end of Hulu’s standalone app in the United States and the beginning of a single, unified platform.
The move follows Disney’s complete takeover of Hulu after acquiring Comcast’s remaining stake earlier this year.
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer revealed the timeline during the company’s recent earnings call, positioning the integration as a strategic step to simplify streaming, cut costs, and strengthen Disney’s position against rivals like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max.
For long-time Hulu subscribers, this doesn’t mean their favorite content is disappearing. Instead, Hulu’s vast library — from original hits like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building to its extensive collection of movies and licensed series — will live inside the Disney+ app under a dedicated Hulu-branded hub.
The consolidation won’t force everyone into a single subscription tier. Viewers will still be able to subscribe to Hulu or Disney+ separately, but the experience will now be delivered through the same app.
For example, a Hulu-only subscriber will log into Disney+ and see only the Hulu section unlocked. Disney+ customers will get access to their own library and can add Hulu content for an additional fee.
This approach mirrors the company’s goal of giving customers flexibility while streamlining operations.
With one app to maintain, Disney expects to save up to $3 billion by reducing technology duplication and centralizing marketing, customer service, and advertising.
The integrated platform will offer shared watchlists, unified recommendations, and a single sign-in, creating a smoother viewing experience.
For advertisers, the merger creates a more powerful ad marketplace, allowing campaigns to run seamlessly across both Hulu and Disney+ audiences.
The Disney-Hulu merger comes amid intensifying competition in streaming. Consumers have increasingly pushed back against managing multiple subscriptions, prompting media giants to rethink their strategies.
For Disney, housing general entertainment, family programming, news, and live sports in one app could help keep viewers engaged and reduce subscriber churn.
Hulu’s original spirit — edgy dramas, buzzy comedies, and next-day TV episodes from major networks — will still be part of the offering, but now alongside Marvel blockbusters, Pixar favorites, and National Geographic documentaries.