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Hulu-Disney Plus Merger Moves Forward

By  |  August 6, 2025

More than a year after introducing Hulu content within its Disney Plus platform in the U.S., Disney has confirmed that it will officially merge the two streaming services into a single app. The company shared details of the integration during its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, signaling a major shift in its direct-to-consumer strategy.

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    According to Business Insider, the full merger is set to take place next year, and with it, Hulu will finally become available to international audiences for the first time. Since March 2024, U.S. subscribers who had access to both platforms could view Hulu titles directly within Disney Plus via a dedicated Hulu tile. That functionality is set to expand globally.

    As part of this consolidation, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the Hulu tile will soon replace the Star tile for international users this fall. Star currently serves as Disney Plus’s general entertainment hub outside the U.S. “The new offering will give customers more choice and convenience,” Iger said during the earnings presentation.

    Per Business Insider, the move is aimed at streamlining user experience and simplifying access to a broad library of content. Disney Plus subscribers already enjoy titles from popular brands like Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with live content from ABC News and classic shows such as The Simpsons. With the full Hulu integration, users can expect even more programming, including family content, live sports, and news — all under one app.

    Read more: DOJ Probes Disney’s FuboTV Acquisition Over Antitrust Concerns

    Though Iger stopped short of confirming whether the standalone Hulu brand will eventually disappear, he did note that the transition would bring “efficiencies” by consolidating operations onto a single technology platform. He also suggested the merger could open the door to new bundling options and potentially more flexible pricing models.

    “I imagine down the road, it may give us some price elasticity as well that we haven’t had before,” Iger noted, hinting at future opportunities for combined packages that include content from Disney, Hulu, and ESPN.

    The announcement comes just weeks ahead of the debut of Disney’s new standalone sports streaming service, simply called ESPN, which will replace ESPN Plus on August 21. The new service will be included in existing Disney bundles, with pricing starting at $36 per month for an ad-supported plan.

    Source: Business Insider