Disney has just confirmed that Hulu will disappear as an independent platform in 2026, and no one saw it coming. After more than twenty years shaping the future of streaming in the United States, the brand that accompanied us with its iconic shows is fully merging into Disney+. It’s the end of an era and the beginning of a very different one, my friend, we’re getting older.
The same thing already happened in Spain with Disney Channel, which shut down at the beginning of 2025, and they are following the same strategy in our country. Of course, it comes with a new design, new features, and also price increases, obviously.
Farewell to Hulu
Disney already warned at the beginning of August that Hulu’s days were numbered. Many of us didn’t believe it, Hulu is one of the classics on our TVs. But Disney had other plans. Throughout 2025, the platform has been gradually reducing its activity until it will shut down completely in 2026. From that moment on, all its content will be available inside Disney+. A single app where users will find all of the brand’s content.
They want to simplify the user experience and at the same time give more visibility to adult content, an area Hulu never truly managed to conquer. In the rest of the world, the space Hulu occupied will be taken by Star, but always under the Disney+ umbrella.
The strategy
Beyond nostalgia, the goal is to cut costs and take on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, their archrivals. By merging, they strengthen a more recognizable brand (Disney+) and reduce marketing expenses. Everything is planned.
They also want to bet big on adult content, a field where Disney has entered cautiously but that now becomes essential. Iconic Hulu series like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building will move directly to Disney+, gaining visibility in new countries.
A renewed Disney+
Now we’re talking about the platform’s redesign: a new, more visual home screen, personalized recommendations, smoother navigation, and in general, a platform that aims to look more like what users expect today. This will only be the beginning because in the coming months, technical updates will roll out to prepare the ground for the full 2026 merger.
Will prices go up?
Obviously, nothing is free in this world. The end of Hulu means that starting October 21, Disney+ will increase by 2 dollars (from 9.99 to 11.99), and the ad-free Hulu subscription will also cost the same.
Those who have Hulu + Live TV with ads will see their monthly fee rise from 83 to 90 dollars. The only one that stays the same for now is Hulu’s premium ad-free plan: 18.99 dollars.
A new streaming map
The audience has changed and so has the industry. Competition is no longer between fragmented platforms but between complete catalogs. By being bigger, costs are reduced (for them and for consumers) and profits are maximized (for them only, of course).
Hulu was born in 2007 and was a pioneer in offering online content when streaming was still unknown. Now it says goodbye by merging with “daddy” Disney.
What this means for you
If you’re currently a Hulu or Disney+ user, remember there won’t be any abrupt cuts or overnight shutdowns. Throughout 2025, you’ll start seeing more Hulu sections appear inside Disney+. And by 2026, the platform will be fully integrated.
Disney promises to maintain access to Hulu’s iconic series and movies and to improve personalization and the overall experience. Farewell, Hulu, see you on the other platform ;)!