Hulu and Disney+ Merge Into One Streaming App: Key Details

Integration of Hulu into Disney+ Marks a Major Shift in the Streaming Landscape

Disney is making a bold move to streamline its streaming offerings by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+. This decision, announced in executive commentary on August 6, signals a significant transformation for the entertainment giant. The new app experience is expected to launch in 2026, marking a pivotal step forward in enhancing Disney's digital presence.

CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston highlighted that this merger represents a "major step forward" in improving Disney’s streaming options. They emphasized that the integration will create a compelling package of entertainment, combining top-tier brands, family programming, news, and live sports content all within a single application. This unified approach aims to provide users with greater convenience, choice, and personalization.

Hulu has long been a joint venture between multiple companies. However, in June, Comcast sold its remaining stake in Hulu, granting complete control of the platform to Disney. This shift paves the way for Hulu's international expansion, with plans to replace the Star tile on Disney+ in global markets starting in the fall.

Disney is also investing heavily in technology and app enhancements. One key development is an updated Disney+ homepage, which will offer a more intuitive user experience. The company aims to differentiate itself by delivering a truly unique streaming offering that caters to diverse viewer preferences.

At the end of Disney's third quarter of 2025, Disney+ and Hulu combined had 183 million subscriptions. This marks an increase of 2.6 million from the second quarter, with Disney+ alone gaining 1.8 million new subscribers, largely due to international growth. For the fourth quarter, Disney projects over 10 million new subscriptions, driven by Hulu's expanded reach through a recent deal with Charter.

Looking ahead, Disney expects full-year 2025 operating income of $1.3 billion for its streaming business. Additionally, the company will stop reporting paid subscriber counts and average revenue per user (ARPU) for ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu by the start of the 2026 fiscal year. This change aligns with a similar move by Netflix, which ceased reporting quarterly subscriber numbers earlier in 2025, focusing instead on major milestones.

The Hulu-Disney+ integration comes shortly after another major development: ESPN agreed to acquire the NFL's media assets in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the sports network. ESPN is also launching a new standalone streaming service on August 21. Priced at $29.99/month, the updated ESPN app will allow fans to access its entire channel lineup without needing a cable subscription.

Disney's strategic moves reflect the ongoing competition among streaming platforms. Fox is set to launch its new Fox One app on the same day, offering live and on-demand access to its full lineup of news, sports, and entertainment content for $19.99/month.

Meanwhile, Roku is targeting budget-conscious consumers with its new service called Howdy. At just $2.99/month, Howdy promises no commercials and access to thousands of popular titles from companies like FilmRise, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a separate development, Peacock is raising its monthly prices by $3, marking the largest increase since the NBC-owned platform launched in 2020. These changes underscore the evolving nature of the streaming industry, as companies continue to adapt to meet consumer demands and stay competitive.