Disney Plus is set to consume Hulu and all its content, with the two platforms “fully integrating” into a single “unified” app by 2026. Disney CEO Bob Iger says customers will still be able to buy Hulu and Disney Plus subscriptions separately, but the new unified app is set to deliver an “improved consumer experience,” according to Variety.
“Today, we’re announcing a major step in enhancing our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney Plus,” said CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston in prepared remarks during the company’s quarterly earnings. “This will deliver a powerful entertainment package — combining top-tier brands and franchises, general entertainment, family programming, news, and industry-leading live sports — all within a single app.”
The integration is primarily a cost-saving move, consolidating both services onto a single tech platform to cut ad expenses and open up new promotional opportunities through one unified app following the success of the Disney Plus + Hulu bundle. It’s still pretty bold to see the once kid-centric Disney Plus integrate shows like Snowfall into its platform, although the streamer has done away with the PG label some time ago with shows like Andor and Daredevil: Born Again.
Hulu is also set to replace Star on Disney Plus internationally starting this Fall.
Additional announcements from the investor call include: Hulu + Live TV will be added to Disney Plus in 2026; Hulu’s live TV business will merge with Fubo but continue to be sold and marketed separately; and Disney will stop reporting individual subscriber numbers for Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus ala Netflix. Finally, the company announced August 21 as the launch date for its standalone ESPN streaming service, priced at $29.99 a month, which will air all future WWE pay-per-view events starting in 2026.
There’s a lot to unpack, and while the move seems designed to save the company money, what does it mean for consumers? The $30 price for the standalone ESPN app feels steep, and pricing details for the new unified Disney Plus and Hulu app haven’t been revealed. Currently, Disney Plus and Hulu offer a $10.99 monthly ad-supported plan and a $19.99 ad-free option, so hopefully the unified service will maintain similar subscription pricing.
