Hulu isn't shutting down: What's going on with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN
Don't say goodbye to Hulu just yet.
Disney isn't axing its streaming service like some reports suggest, but the company will further integrate Hulu and Disney+ in 2026 amid rough terrain in the streaming business. During an earnings call Wednesday, Aug. 6, Disney CEO Bob Iger explained what the future will hold for the company's two streaming services, which are currently available by themselves, as a bundle with ESPN+ or together in a single app via "Hulu on Disney+."
Iger hyped a newly integrated app debuting in 2026 on the call, saying "this will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app." The mention of live sports suggested that content from the company's ESPN brand could play into the new app. Currently it is available as a cable subscription and will launch as its own app later in August.
Disney confirmed to Paste BN that Hulu is not going away − Hulu and Disney+ will continue to each be available to purchase as standalone products. But both apps will be rolled into a vaguely-described unified app "experience" next year now that Disney officially owns all of Hulu.
After years of back and forth on the details of the sale and price, as of June, Disney officially acquired full control of Hulu (once split among Disney, Fox and Comcast), after finally completing the purchase of Comcast's remaining stake.
While more specifics about the new app "integration" were not available from Iger or Disney, the company has slowly gone about bringing Hulu and Disney+ closer together over the past few years. Starting in February 2024, Disney+ subscribers were able to upgrade to a bundle that put the Hulu app right on the Disney+ home screen, marrying the streamer known for Marvel and kids' shows with the one known for post-apocalyptic nightmares like "The Handmaid's Tale" and the Kardashians.
Disney's choice marked the latest example in a consolidation trend among streaming services in a new landscape marked by fewer services, fewer new shows, password-sharing crackdowns, rising prices and lots of commercials.
Disney also revealed Aug. 6 that its standalone ESPN streaming service will be available on Aug. 21 for the previously announced price of $29.99 a month. It can also be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99 monthly with ads on Disney+ and Hulu (discounted to $29.99 for the first 12 months). For no ads on those two streamers, the plan costs $44.99 per month (ads will be included on any tier of the ESPN app).
Contributing: Gary Levin