Hulu Shuts Down After 20 Years as Disney Merges Platforms

This merger has been expected for some time. In early 2025, Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted that bringing Hulu and Disney+ under one roof would simplify user access and help the company streamline operations. Starting October 8, Hulu’s brand will officially replace Disney’s “Star” hub internationally, while in the U.S., the merger will roll out gradually until early 2026. Disney says that current Hulu subscribers will retain access to their shows and movies through Disney+ instead of the standalone Hulu app. According to Business Insider, Disney expects this full integration to yield billions in cost savings by removing overlapping systems and consolidating its streaming operations.

For Hulu users, the change will feel less like a sudden disappearance and more like a migration. The beloved originals, such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building, aren’t going anywhere, but how viewers reach them will. Disney+ subscribers will begin seeing Hulu content integrated into their existing interface, while Hulu-only users will eventually be prompted to shift their subscriptions to Disney+. Disney has also confirmed that subscription prices across its streaming services will rise beginning October 21, citing content expansion and new ad-supported plans as reasons for the adjustment.

The move isn’t just about simplifying streaming. It signals how entertainment giants are consolidating to survive a crowded, profit-squeezed market. Mergers like this one reduce overlapping costs, combine advertising systems, and strengthen bargaining power with content creators. For Disney, bringing Hulu under its full control means a larger library, a unified audience, and stronger leverage against competitors like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Still, consolidation comes at a cost. As platforms merge, smaller or niche titles can lose visibility, and users often face higher subscription fees. Critics argue that fewer players in the streaming market could stifle competition and limit creative diversity. What once drew audiences to Hulu, its mix of network TV content, edgy originals, and flexible bundles, might get diluted in Disney’s broader catalog.

The broader trend across media and tech tells a similar story. Major corporations are increasingly acquiring or merging with smaller platforms to maintain dominance. Amazon owns MGM, Warner Bros. merged HBO Max into Max, and Paramount+ absorbed Showtime. Each of these moves reflects a shift away from the “many small apps” model that defined the 2010s, toward larger, multi-content ecosystems that keep users locked in. The streaming wars, it seems, are evolving into strategic alliances and consolidations.

For Disney, this is a strategic play to tighten its grip on the streaming market and simplify its branding. It allows them to combine data analytics, advertising networks, and marketing strategies under one platform. By doing so, Disney hopes to stabilize subscription growth and cut losses from running multiple services independently.

For viewers, the next few months will be an adjustment. Hulu will slowly disappear, but its spirit will live on within Disney+. Subscribers can expect new hybrid plans and bundles, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, all accessible through a single interface. While this may offer more convenience, it raises questions about price fairness, competition, and how much control a handful of entertainment giants will have over what people watch.

Hulu’s closure marks the end of a streaming era that celebrated variety and experimentation. Its merger with Disney+ might make sense from a business standpoint, but it also underscores how the streaming world has matured, where scale, not diversity, defines success.

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