LayarHijau – After more than 20 years in operation, Disney has officially confirmed that Hulu will be shut down. The announcement was first made in early August, following a major merger that sealed the fate of Hulu as a standalone service.
According to Variety, Disney is now accelerating the process of shutting down Hulu’s app. However, the Hulu brand itself will not disappear. Starting October 8, Hulu will become the general entertainment brand on Disney+ for international markets, replacing the Star label.
Disney emphasized that Hulu will evolve into a “fully integrated unified app experience” by 2026. Disney+ users will soon see Hulu content integrated into the app, through gradual product updates including changes on the homepage and improved recommendations. The company explained that this move will raise brand awareness globally, as Hulu offers a large catalog of adult-oriented content that resonates with international viewers.
In addition to the rebranding, Disney+ will introduce a more visual home screen, more intuitive navigation, and personalized recommendations in the coming weeks. The company noted that these enhancements are only the beginning, with further updates expected ahead of the unified app launch next year.
Disney finalized its full acquisition of Hulu this past June after a long-anticipated deal with Comcast. Moving forward, Disney plans to migrate all Hulu content into Disney+. However, users will still be able to subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu separately if they wish.
Impact on International Users Including Indonesia
For international users—including those in Indonesia—the shift means a major change to the Disney+ interface. The Star brand, which has served as the general entertainment label outside the U.S., will be replaced by Hulu. This change will make Hulu the new home for films and series aimed at more mature audiences.
With Hulu now becoming a global brand, Disney aims to expand its marketing reach, spotlighting shows like Only Murders in the Building beyond the U.S. For Indonesian users, Disney+ will roll out a more personalized recommendation system and streamlined navigation, offering an experience that mirrors Hulu’s identity. This marks the beginning of a longer transition, leading up to the full integration planned for 2026.
However, while the viewing experience is set to become richer, Disney’s recent moves in the U.S. suggest that international subscription prices could also see adjustments in the future.
Price Hikes in the U.S.
In mid-September, Disney announced that Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions in the U.S. will increase starting October 21.
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- Disney+ with ads will increase by $2, from $9.99 (around Rp162,000) to $11.99 per month (around Rp195,000).
- Hulu with ads will also increase by $2, from $9.99 (Rp162,000) to $11.99 (Rp195,000).
- Hulu Premium without ads will remain at $18.99 (around Rp309,000).
- Hulu + Live TV with ads will see a bigger jump, from $83 (Rp1.35 million) to $90 (Rp1.46 million).
- Disney+ Premium without ads will increase by $3, from $16 (Rp260,000) to $19 (Rp308,000).
- ESPN Select, formerly ESPN+, will rise from $11.99 (Rp195,000) to $12.99 (Rp210,000).
The shutdown of Hulu comes amid a challenging period for Disney, including controversy at its ABC television network, which suspended and later reinstated Jimmy Kimmel. Still, the entertainment giant appears determined to move forward with its rebranding and global integration strategy for its streaming services.
