Disney’s Grand Rebrand: Hulu’s Global Rise and the End of Star — Will the Stand‑Alone Hulu App Die by 2026?
Introduction 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