Hulu and Disney+ Merger: Impact on Hulu Users

Hulu and Disney+ are joining forces, which means big changes ahead for Hulu users. The announcement came during an earnings call by the Walt Disney Co. on August 6th. CEO Bob Iger shared that Hulu will soon be integrated into Disney+, offering users a “unified app experience” with a mix of top-notch brands and content, from entertainment to news and live sports.

For Hulu subscribers who don’t use Disney+, what does this mean? The Hulu standalone app will be phased out by 2026 and fully absorbed into Disney+. While Hulu was already available on Disney+ as an add-on since 2024, it will soon be the only way to access Hulu content.

If you’re wondering about pricing, details are still pending. Currently, Hulu’s ad-supported plan costs $9.99/month (or $99.99/year), while the ad-free plan is $18.99/month. As for Disney+, the basic bundle with ads goes for $10.99/month, and the premium ad-free option is $19.99/month. Subscription options will include access to both services under one roof.

As for Hulu + Live TV, it will eventually merge with Fubo in 2026, but will still be marketed as separate services. The goal is to streamline the viewing experience and offer users a wide range of entertainment choices.

So, get ready for a new era of streaming entertainment, where Hulu and Disney+ team up to provide a one-stop-shop for all your favorite shows and movies. Stay tuned for more updates as these changes take effect!