By Kayla DeKraker
The Walt Disney Company is making a major change to its streaming strategy.
The company announced that the standalone Hulu app will be discontinued in 2026, forcing over 50 million subscribers to move to an updated platform centered on Disney+. While Hulu content will remain available on Disney+, the Hulu app that customers know is being phased out.
“Today we are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+,” Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston said statement last year. “This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.”
Hulu has been around for almost two decades, making it’s elimination surprising to some. MSN explained that “Hulu began in 2007 as a joint venture between NBCUniversal, News Corp (Fox), and later Disney, offering a free, ad-supported way to stream recent TV episodes online.”
Changes to Hulu’s accessibility began last month.
Related: Disney-Owned Hulu Takes a Backseat to Disney+
On Dec. 9, Disney eliminated the “Hulu with Disney+ add-on” option, making Disney+ the only platform to access Hulu’s content from.
The Disney+ website still advertises bundle options based on what kind of content viewers want. Currently customers can purchase a Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max bundle for $19.99/month, a Disney+; Hulu, ESPN bundle for $29.99/month; or a Disney+, Hulu, ESPN “premium” bundle for $38.99/month.
Last year, Disney announced that users “will begin to see further integrations of Hulu across the Disney+ app as part of an ongoing and iterative slate of product updates on the homepage and beyond.” The company added, “These enhancements are just the beginning, with additional updates planned in the lead-up to the launch of a unified app experience next year.”
In a ScreenRant post sharing the news to Instagram, people in the comment section expressed mixed feelings about the changes. “Sooo how will this affect my bundle cause I doubt you’re making it cheaper,” one person said. Another added, “Hulu is the better app it’s a shame they don’t use its interface for Disney plus.”
Do you use the stand-alone Hulu app?
However, Iger believes these changes will overall be a benefit.
“By creating a truly differentiated streaming offering, we will be providing subscribers tremendous choice, convenience, quality, and enhanced personalization,” Iger and Johnston said. “This will enhance our ability to continue to grow profitability and margins in our entertainment streaming business through expected higher engagement, lower churn, and advertising revenue potential, as well as operational efficiencies that over time may result in savings that we can reinvest back into the business.”
An official date for Hulu’s elimination has not be revealed, but as the New Year arrives, customers can expect the change is coming soon.
Read Next: Disney’s New Bundle Combines Disney+ and Hulu into One App
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