Disney to Shut Down Standalone Hulu App by 2026: The OTT giant Disney has recently made official that Hulu’s app is set to shut down by 2026. The news was made official by Disney when they acquired Comcast’s remaining stake, and in the official announcement, they announced plans to merge Hulu’s content directly into Disney+. This means Disney+ will be home to all the Hulu content, so fans of Hulu’s content can breathe easy because the service itself isn’t disappearing, just getting a new home.
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Disney to Shut Down Standalone Hulu App by 2026: A Strategic Merger for a Unified Experience
Disney+ made this decision not overnight, but it is a long-term strategy to streamline its streaming services and make the streaming less complex. The idea is to provide all the content on one platform and prevent subscribers from having to juggle multiple apps. Hence, from now on, the company will offer a single platform where viewers can access everything from family-friendly classics to adult-orientated dramas and live TV.
The redesigned Disney+ app will serve as a one-stop hub for:
- Hulu Originals
- Licensed TV shows and movies
- Live TV options
- Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content
This integration is going to make the life of subscribers much easier, as it will make content discovery easier and simplify subscription management.
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What Changes for U.S. Subscribers
U.S. users are provided with some flexibility, and the subscribers now:
- Choose a Disney+-only plan
- Choose a Hulu-only plan, but it can be streamed via Disney+
- Opt for the Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN+ bundle
The biggest change is that all streaming will now happen inside the Disney+ interface, and it will eliminate the need to switch between separate apps.
International Impact: Hulu Goes Global
Disney is planning to take Hulu global, as they are going to retire the “Star” content hub within Disney+ and replace it with Hulu branding. The idea is simple: make Hulu the global name for Disney’s general entertainment library, and Disney+ will continue to focus on family and franchise content.
Shift is crucial because it will make Hulu a far more recognisable global brand and will allow it to reach international audiences who have never had direct access to the U.S. version of the service.
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Why Disney is Making the Change?
The streaming space is seeing increased competition due to the rise of platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+. Hence, by consolidating its services, Disney hopes to:
- Reduce subscriber churn by making the platform stickier
- Offer a unified recommendation engine that keeps viewers engaged
- Make it easier to cross-promote its various content categories
The Bottom Line
Yes, the news is true; the Hulu app is shutting down, but Hulu itself is not. Disney has made it official that Hulu’s shows, movies, and live TV will live on under the Disney+ umbrella. For viewers, it’s less of a farewell and more of a house-warming party because Hulu is simply moving in with Disney+, which will bring the content of Disney+ and Hulu under one stop.
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