Disney Plus and Hulu Are Merging: What You Need to Know About the Big 2026 Streaming Shakeup
Big changes are coming to your streaming lineup! Disney has officially announced that Hulu will be fully folded into Disney Plus by 2026, creating a single, unified app. This means all your favorite Hulu and Disney Plus content will soon live under one digital roof. However, there are still some question marks—especially when it comes to how much this new combo service will cost. Here’s what you need to know.
- Disney Plus and Hulu will merge into one app by 2026
- Hulu + Live TV will join the new Disney Plus experience
- Standalone ESPN streaming launches August 21 for $29.99/month
- Internationally, Hulu will replace Star on Disney Plus
- Pricing for the new unified app is still unknown
Disney Plus and Hulu: One App to Rule Them All
Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed during the company’s earnings call that Hulu and Disney Plus will be “fully integrating” by 2026. According to Variety, customers will still be able to buy Hulu and Disney Plus subscriptions separately if they want, but the big push is toward a unified app. The goal? To create an “improved consumer experience” with a powerhouse mix of top brands, general entertainment, family shows, news, and live sports—all in one place.
What’s Changing?
The merger is designed to save Disney money by putting both services on a single tech platform. This means fewer ad expenses and new ways to promote content. Disney is also rolling out Hulu + Live TV within Disney Plus in 2026, and Hulu’s live TV business will merge with Fubo. However, the live TV service will still be sold and marketed separately.
International fans, take note: Hulu is set to replace Star on Disney Plus starting this Fall. So, if you’ve been using Star for your binge-watching, get ready for a change.
What About the Price?
Here’s where things get a bit mysterious. Disney hasn’t revealed how much the new, unified Disney Plus and Hulu service will cost. Right now, you can get both with ads for $10.99 a month or ad-free for $19.99. Will those prices stick around? We’ll have to wait and see.
New ESPN Streaming App Launches Soon
On top of all this, Disney announced a new standalone ESPN streaming service, launching August 21. It’s set at $29.99 a month and will include all future WWE pay-per-view events starting in 2026. That’s a big move for sports fans, but the price tag is definitely on the higher side.
Other Changes to Know
Disney will also stop reporting individual subscriber numbers for Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus, similar to what Netflix does now. This is part of a broader shift in how the company reports its streaming business.
So, to sum it up: Disney Plus and Hulu are joining forces, ESPN is going solo for sports fans, and we’re all waiting to find out just how much these changes will hit our wallets. For now, keep an eye out for updates and get ready for a brand-new streaming experience in 2026!
