Disney could phase out the standalone Hulu app and shift its programming and key features into Disney+, as the company advances a unified streaming strategy that would make Disney+ the primary home for Hulu content, according to recent company disclosures and industry reports.
Disney has said it plans to retire the Hulu app as an independent platform in 2026, fully integrating Hulu into a revamped Disney+ application that would host both services under one interface.
The move follows Disney's completion of its acquisition of Comcast's remaining stake in Hulu, giving the company 100% ownership and greater control over how the service is distributed. Executives have framed the change as part of a push to simplify the streaming experience and consolidate viewership on Disney+, according to Business Insider.
Under the plan, Hulu's library of more than 70,000 TV episodes and films, including originals like "The Bear" and "Only Murders in the Building," as well as licensed series such as "Grey's Anatomy," will be accessible inside Disney+ for eligible subscribers.
Hulu content is already available in the U.S. through a dedicated "Hulu on Disney+" hub and integrated recommendations, but the current Hulu app continues to operate separately. The projected phase-out would shift viewing fully into Disney+, while maintaining the Hulu brand as a content tile within the service.
Disney has indicated that subscription structures will still distinguish between Disney+ and Hulu access, even inside a single app, Variety reported.
In the U.S., existing bundles that combine Disney+ and Hulu start at $9.99 per month with ads or $19.99 per month without ads, and the company has signaled it will use the unified app to push more customers toward these packages.
Reports also suggest Disney intends to expand the Hulu brand internationally, replacing the "Star" general-entertainment tile on Disney+ in some markets with the Hulu name.
The company has not publicly detailed how the change will affect Hulu + Live TV or region-specific licensing deals, but it has said live TV channels are not currently part of the Hulu integration inside Disney+, as per The Desk.
Originally published on vcpost.com
