Disney Is Finally Integrating Hulu App Fully Into Disney+

In surprise to practically no one, Disney has announced that it will officially integrate the Hulu app into Disney+. Hulu will also replace the international market “Star” brand in the fall.

During the Q3 earnings call today, Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston said,

“Today we are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+.

This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.”

Iger touted the “improved customer experience” of this new combined app and told investors it would lower churn and help offset costs.

The big reason they are doing this is likely to sell ads because Iger commented that they already sell ads for the two platforms together, and he thinks they have yet another market they can sell for.

So what does this mean for subscribers?

The new Disney+ and Hulu streaming app will launch in 2026.

Streaming customers can still choose to simply buy a Hulu subscription or a Disney+ subscription separately. (For now.)

Not much will change unless you use the Hulu app. Foreign markets will simply have the name changed from “Star” to “Hulu.”

Disney also announced they will no longer report subscriber numbers

During the investor call, it was also announced that Disney will no longer report subscriber numbers on their streaming platforms, including Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+.

Personally, I think this sounds like a way to cover up loss and churn, but since other streamers are doing this, Disney grabbed the opportunity.
Now we just wait for the inevitable price hikes.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!