Disney Yanks ESPN and ABC Off YouTube TV – Why It Happened and What’s Next

In a move that could reshape the global streaming landscape, Disney has begun dismantling its 20‑year‑old Hulu platform and folding it into its flagship Disney+ service. Beginning 8 October 2025 in markets outside the United States, Disney will rebrand the Star tile in Disney+ as Hulu, turning the once U.S.-only service into the company’s global general‑entertainment brand variety.com. This change marks the latest step in a strategy to consolidate Disney’s sprawling streaming empire—Disney+, Hulu and ESPN—into one unified “super app” by 2026. The integration promises personalized recommendations, live sports hubs and dynamic navigation but also ushers in significant price increases and raises questions about the future of the Hulu brand.