Hulu's days numbered? Disney waves goodbye as major streaming service set for official phaseout. Check new subscription rates

Is Hully going away? Actually, No. Disney is expanding Hulu to worldwide streaming audiences in preparation for the “unified” Disney Plus app experience that’s launching next year. From October 8, Hulu will replace Star — a Disney Plus hub available in non-US markets that features content from Disney-owned subsidiaries — in an effort to turn Hulu into an internationally recognized brand, reports The Verge.

This announcement comes amid speculation that Hulu might vanish once it is fully integrated with Disney Plus in 2026. In August, Disney CEO Bob Iger informed investors that the Star tile would be phased out in international markets “in the fall,” a move anticipated back in November 2023. Hulu is being positioned to serve as the company’s “global general entertainment brand.”

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Hulu to expand globally?

Disney+ is set to get a significant refresh next week, as the company further integrates Hulu into its streaming platform. For the US citizens, this means getting Disney+ is set to get a significant refresh next week, as the company further integrates Hulu into its streaming platform. In international markets, Hulu will replace the Star brand tile as the brand for general entertainment programming.

Disney+ is rolling out a refreshed homepage featuring a more personalized experience. The updated For You tab now uses an improved algorithm to deliver tailored recommendations, while a new “Live” hub gives users quick access to live sports, news, events, and Disney+ linear streams.

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The homepage itself is getting a visual makeover, with a video-centric “hero” carousel and poster-style artwork throughout. To make browsing even easier, Disney+ is adding labels like “Season Finale,” “New Series,” and “New Movie” so viewers can instantly spot fresh or noteworthy content.

Looking ahead, Disney plans to launch mobile-first and mobile-exclusive experiences for the app, hinting at features like vertical video feeds for phone users.

Will you pay more?

These updates arrive ahead of a unified app experience set for next year, which will more fully integrate Hulu and ESPN into Disney+, following the recent launch of ESPN’s new video offering.

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The changes also coincide with a Disney+ price hike, quietly announced last month amid the Jimmy Kimmel controversy. Starting October 21, the ad-supported Disney+ plan will rise by $2 to $11.99 per month, while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will increase by $3 to $18.99 per month. Bundled packages with Hulu and ESPN will see proportional price adjustments.

At the same time, the updates underscore that the Hulu brand—far from being phased out—may become increasingly central to Disney as it globalizes its streaming platform and expands beyond genre-specific content into broader entertainment offerings. Still, homepage redesigns carry inherent risks, with user engagement remaining a critical priority.