In a major strategic move that will reshape the streaming landscape, Disney has announced that the Hulu app will be discontinued and its content will be merged into Disney+. This is a significant change that is expected to be completed in 2026, at which point the standalone Hulu app will disappear from smart TVs and other devices. For subscribers, this means a more unified streaming experience, as all their favorite shows and movies will be housed under one roof.
What the Merger Means for Subscribers
The merger is designed to simplify the streaming experience for consumers. Instead of having to subscribe to and manage two separate apps, subscribers will have access to all of the Hulu content—including its popular originals—within the Disney+ app. The Hulu content will be available as a “hub” or a “section” within the Disney+ app, making it easy to find and access. This move is expected to provide a more comprehensive and cohesive content library, as Disney+ will now have a broader range of content, from family-friendly animation to more mature, adult-oriented programming.
A Potential Content Boost for Southeast Asia
While the merger is currently focused on the US, it is likely to have a significant impact on other regions as well. The merger will likely see an expansion of the content available on Disney+ in other regions, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. While the full extent of the content expansion is still unclear, the move is expected to bring a broader range of titles to these markets, making Disney+ a more competitive player in the streaming space. This is a welcome change for subscribers in these regions, who have often had to wait for new content to be released.
By consolidating its content under a single brand, Disney is positioning itself to be a more dominant player in the streaming space. The move will not only provide a more unified streaming experience for subscribers but will also allow Disney to compete more effectively with other major streaming services like Netflix. The future of streaming is likely to be a battle of content, and with the addition of Hulu’s library, Disney+ is now a more formidable opponent.
