Hulu has an official UK launch date – here’s what this means for you

In 2024, subscribers in the US who have the Disney+ bundle can access the Hulu library directly through the Disney+ app. Similar changes are expected in the UK and Europe, but with some differences.

Popular series and films like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Poor Things are currently available on Disney+ UK under the Star brand. This label will soon be transitioned to Hulu, creating a unified app for users across the Atlantic.

In the United States, the situation differs slightly. Hulu remains integrated within the Disney+ platform, but it is not bundled as part of a single subscription like in the UK.

If you’re curious about how these updates could affect your subscription, keep reading. Additionally, take a look at our comparison of the top TV streaming services.  

When will Hulu be available on Disney+ UK?

Disney has announced that the Star brand will officially rebrand to Hulu starting from 8 October 2025.

Existing content under this label is already accessible for streaming and this won’t change. The announcement was made during Disney’s latest quarterly earnings report by CEO Bob Iger.

For context, here’s a preview of the current Star section:

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

As a Disney+ UK subscriber, will the Hulu integration increase my costs? 

Although specific pricing for the Hulu rebranding hasn’t been detailed, Disney adjusted its subscription rates right at the end of September.

However, this affects all plans, and if you’re interested in watching Hulu content, it won’t incur any additional fees—much like currently accessing Star content.

Will Hulu’s app be shut down in the US? 

For subscribers in the US, a significant change is that Disney+ and Hulu will merge into one comprehensive app by 2026. This confirmation also came during the earnings call mentioned earlier.

As reported by Variety, this change aims to offer an “enhanced consumer experience.” While this merger isn’t a complete surprise, it could cause some confusion for users who only subscribe to either Disney+ or Hulu.

I’m a standalone Disney+/Hulu subscriber in the US – will my costs increase? 

For subscribers solely using Disney+ or Hulu, there won’t be an obligation to pay extra to switch to a bundled offering. The source cited earlier confirms that you can still maintain separate subscriptions for both services.

Additionally, you can access Hulu’s content using a VPN (such as NordVPN) to stream the international version of Disney+, which includes Star (soon to be Hulu) content. We have a guide to help you with that.  

It’s worth noting that both services implemented a price increase by the end of September 2025 – you can find details about those changes here.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Can I access ESPN+ content through the Disney+ app? 

If you hold a subscription to the Disney Bundle Trio Basic or Premium, you can access select sports content directly via the Disney+ app. However, you can also choose to use the ESPN+ app, similar to the current setup with Hulu.

What’s the reason behind Disney’s integration of Hulu into its offerings? 

According to Variety, one rationale for this move is to encourage longer viewing hours by consolidating all content into a single location, while also introducing viewers to shows they might not have considered.  

Additionally, there’s a strategic aim to boost bundled subscriptions, thereby generating greater revenue for Disney. Following some subscription losses in 2023, it’s clear Disney is exploring various strategies to enhance profitability.  

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