If you’re a Hulu subscriber, there’s been an important announcement: its main app is shutting down, but it’s in aid of a new “fully integrated” Disney Plus experience.
It started with Netflix, and then Amazon got in on the action with Prime Video, and then Disney+ cornered the market with all of its extremely popular IP. Now, there are countless streaming services vying for our direct debits every month.
As industry observers have predicted for years, the streaming era has caused a bubble – and it may have already burst. Excluding Netflix, which has over 300 million subscribers, other platforms have been either consolidating or finding ways to attract viewers. The solution has often been ad-supported, lower-priced (if not free) tiers… almost like normal television.
Disney’s streaming packages have seen some drastic changes over the past two years, whether it’s price hikes or big bundles. Hulu is the latest service to be affected – but it’s not entirely a bad thing.
Is Hulu shutting down?
The standalone Hulu app is shutting down, but the streaming service isn’t. Instead, it’ll be integrated into the Disney Plus app in 2026.
This comes after Disney bought Comcast out of Hulu last month. “Work is already underway to continue enhancing our technology, and over the coming months, we will be implementing numerous improvements within the Disney+ app, including exciting new features and a more personalized homepage,” Disney said (via Deadline).
“All of this work will culminate with the unified Disney+ and Hulu streaming app experience that will be available to consumers next year.”
This means when you log into Disney Plus, Hulu will be available as a tile, much like Marvel, Star Wars, and ESPN (if you’ve signed up for that package).
The new Disney Plus/Hulu app doesn’t have a specific release date, but expect it in early 2026.
What does this mean for Hulu Live TV?
Hulu’s Live TV service will be unaffected by the Disney Plus merger.
Within Hulu’s current platform, users can access more than 95 live and local channels. There has been no indication that this will change, with Disney CEO Bob Iger even highlighting Hulu’s live content as a perk.
“This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, kids programming, news, and industry-leading live sports content all in a single app,” he said.
Currently, you can sign up for Live TV via Hulu for $81.99 per month, but that doesn’t include the service’s streaming library or any access to Disney Plus (more on those prices shortly).
Will Hulu be available on Disney Plus outside the US?
Yes! Hulu is finally expanding into international territories, replacing the Star tile.
Does that mean there could be price hikes? This hasn’t been confirmed or even teased by Disney, but it’d be wise to prepare yourself to spend a bit more each month; this kind of expansion is the perfect excuse to offer customers different bundles and charge them more.
For example, people in the UK will get to watch Alien: Earth via Disney Plus, but US fans require a subscription to Hulu or a Disney package that includes Hulu. Do you think Disney will miss out on the opportunity to force the hands of international viewers into a broader bundle?
Hulu & Disney Plus prices and bundles explained
There are 11 different plans available for Disney Plus right now, and nine of those include Hulu. They’re all listed below with their prices:
- Disney Plus Basic (ad-supported) – $9.99 per month
- Disney Plus Premium (ad-free) – $15.99 per month/$159.99 per year
- Disney+ and Hulu Bundle (ad-supported) – $10.99 a month
- Disney+ and Hulu Bundle (ad-free) – $19.99 a month
- Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle (ad-supported) – $16.99 per month
- Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle (ad-free) – $26.99 per month
- Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max Bundle (ad-supported) – $16.99 per month
- Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max Bundle (ad-free) – $29.99 per month
- Hulu (ad-supported) + Live TV, Disney+ (ad-supported) and ESPN+ (ad-supported) – $82.99
- Hulu (ad-free) + Live TV, Disney+ (ad-free) and ESPN+ (ad-supported) – $95.99 per month
- Hulu (ad-supported) + Live TV, Disney+ (ad-free) and ESPN+ (ad-supported) – $87.99 per month
You can also customize your subscription and add other platforms to your bundle, including:
- Max (ad-supported) – $9.99 per month
- Max (ad-free) – $16.99 per month
- Cinemax – $9.99 per month
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME – $12.99 per month
- STARZ – $10.99 per month
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