Comprehensive Update on the Upcoming Disney+ and Hulu App Merger

Disney has been in a tricky situation in the US for the past four years regarding its streaming services. In 2019, the company launched Disney+, its main streaming platform, which currently holds a majority of its content. However, Disney already owned Hulu, a streaming service it acquired when it bought out Fox. Now, the company is finally planning to integrate both services into a single app.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed that a beta version of the merged Disney+/Hulu app will be launched next month, with an official release expected in spring 2024. This app will be accessible to subscribers of both Disney+ and Hulu, providing them with access to the content available on both platforms. Disney has also expressed its intention to acquire Comcast's minority stake in Hulu, making it fully owned by Disney and giving the company complete control over its operations. While the sale has not yet been finalized, it is uncertain whether the deal must be completed before deploying the merged app.

Disney has likely been eagerly anticipating the launch of a consolidated app for quite some time, considering that Hulu is primarily focused on the US market. However, in other regions, such as Latin America, there is Star+, a content hub within Disney+ that features most of the content available on Hulu. Although Star+ functions as a separate streaming service in Latin America, its user interface closely resembles that of Disney+. Therefore, the US is truly the only country that provides users with two distinct experiences. While Disney+ does offer a combined subscription, it does not change the fact that there are currently two separate apps for Disney-owned content.

Despite the forthcoming option of a merged app, Disney+ and Hulu continue to be separate content packages, at least for the time being. It remains uncertain whether Hulu's live TV functionality and additional packages will be accessible through the Disney+ app. Subscribers with these packages may have to continue using the existing Hulu app for an extended period of time.

Source: Variety

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of both Disney+ and Hulu, I am thrilled about the upcoming merger of these two streaming services into a single app. This move makes perfect sense, as it will streamline the streaming experience for users and provide access to a vast library of content all in one place.

I am particularly excited about the potential for the merged app to offer a more personalized viewing experience. By combining the data from both platforms, Disney and Hulu can better understand my viewing preferences and recommend content that I am more likely to enjoy. This will save me time and effort in finding new shows and movies to watch.

Overall, I believe that the merger of Disney+ and Hulu is a positive development for streaming consumers. It will make it easier to access the content I love and discover new shows and movies that I might not have otherwise found. I can't wait to try out the beta version of the merged app next month and see for myself how it works.