Disney is within the technique of winding down Hulu’s standalone app and repair because it absolutely integrates Hulu into Disney+. However on the similar time, the Mouse Home is doubling down on the Hulu model — together with taking it world.
As of Oct. 8, Hulu will grow to be the worldwide basic leisure model on Disney+ in non-U.S. markets, changing the Star tile. With the change, and in preparation for what Disney is promising might be a “absolutely built-in unified app expertise” in 2026, Disney+ prospects “will start to see additional integrations of Hulu throughout the Disney+ app as a part of an ongoing and iterative slate of product updates on the homepage and past,” the corporate introduced Thursday.
Swapping out Star with Hulu will assist improve consciousness exterior the U.S. that Disney+ has a big catalog of content material that appeals to adults, based on Disney — and it additionally implies that the corporate’s funding in advertising and social media promotion for Hulu will now be utilized worldwide.
In keeping with Disney, the Star-to-Hulu rebranding isn’t nearly a brand-tile switchover: The corporate says it’s also making it even simpler to find Hulu content material and extra on Disney+.
Disney+ over the following few weeks will introduce “a extra visible dwelling display,” in addition to extra intuitive navigation and extra personalised suggestions. “These enhancements are only the start, with extra updates deliberate within the lead-up to the launch of a unified app expertise subsequent yr,” Disney mentioned.
The modifications come after Disney accomplished the full acquisition of Hulu in a cope with Comcast this June. In 2026, Disney expects to absolutely merge Hulu into Disney+. In keeping with Disney, within the U.S. you’ll nonetheless be capable to buy Disney+ and Hulu as standalone plans. At this level, Disney has not set a sundown date for the Hulu app.
Right here’s a rundown of latest options coming to Disney+ on TV gadgets:
A brand new navigation bar is being added to the highest of the homepage. The brand new “For You” tab is the primary display subscribers will see once they click on into Disney+, which might be “the brand new dwelling base for really helpful viewing,” powered by an up to date algorithm that learns person preferences over time. There are additionally tabs for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN, relying on every person’s subscription.
The Reside hub in the principle vertical navigation takes viewers to the most recent stay information, sports activities and occasions, in addition to the 24/7 Streams on Disney+.
The Disney+ person interface will characteristic a “extra trendy design that brings our characters and tales entrance and heart,” based on Disney. That features a new video show within the topmost “hero” carousel and a extra dynamic model row, showcasing the most recent titles from every model. As well as, content material units on Disney+ are being up to date to showcase “extra cinematic, poster-style art work.”
The UI will add new badging tags like “Season Finale,” “New Collection” and “New Film” to indicate what’s distinctive and well timed proper now.
Disney+ will make Profiles extra outstanding throughout the UI. From there, customers will discover titles personally really helpful for them primarily based on their distinctive viewing habits.
Along with the updates on connected-TV gadgets, Disney mentioned it’s “placing a number of thought into enhancing the cellular expertise.” For instance, the Disney+ iOS app is launching Widgets, which can “add one other entrance door to take customers straight into our programming with one click on,” the corporate mentioned.
Within the U.S., Disney has set worth hikes that may take impact Oct. 21 for many of its Disney+, Hulu and ESPN plans and bundles. For instance, the standalone Disney+ with adverts tier is rising from $9.99 to $11.99/month whereas the Disney+ Premium (with out adverts) goes from $15.99 to $18.99/month. The Hulu standalone plan with adverts is growing from $9.99 to $11.99/month as of the identical date; the premium model of Hulu with no adverts will stay at $18.99 per thirty days.
Disney launched an animation displaying the brand new Disney+ UI built-in with Hulu in motion:
