Disney has confirmed it currently has no plans to shut down the standalone Hulu application, according to a recent statement to Variety. This clarification comes amid ongoing efforts to integrate Hulu’s content and features more deeply into the Disney+ platform, a process that began gaining momentum last year but remains in a transitional phase, with no firm endpoint for the separate app. For months, there have been reports that the Hulu app would shut down, but now it seems that they are pushing back against these reports. Disney has also confirmed to Cord Cutters News that, at this time, they do not have a date for shutting down Hulu.
The streaming giant continues to advance its strategy of combining services to create a more unified experience for subscribers. Disney has emphasized that the integration aims to deliver a broader selection of programming under one roof, encompassing family-oriented titles, general entertainment, news, and sports. By merging the libraries, the company expects to simplify navigation for users who previously juggled multiple apps, while also streamlining backend operations. Back in August of 2025, Disney’s CEO announced the plans to merge the apps, but didn’t give any timeline. Now there is a new CEO who has been putting his own spin on the future of Disney+ and Hulu.
The integration process reflects broader industry trends as major media companies seek efficiencies in a competitive streaming landscape. Disney fully acquired Hulu in recent years, removing previous ownership complexities that had slowed deeper collaboration. With complete control, the company has accelerated steps such as shared content catalogs and unified billing options. Subscribers can already access much of Hulu’s library through add-ons or bundles within Disney+, and further expansions of this access are expected over time. Just yesterday, Disney announced that more features of Hulu will be merged into Disney+.
Despite these developments, the standalone Hulu app remains fully operational for now. Users continue to stream, and manage accounts through the dedicated application without interruption. Reports indicate that while the long-term vision involves a primary home within the enhanced Disney+ interface, executives have not committed to a specific calendar date for any potential retirement of the Hulu app. This cautious stance provides reassurance to viewers who prefer the familiar Hulu interface or rely on it for specific viewing habits.
One area that has seen less immediate movement involves the live television component. Hulu’s live TV service, which includes linear channels and cloud DVR capabilities, operates under a partnership structure that adds layers of complexity to full migration. Keeping the live offering somewhat distinct could help maintain flexibility as Hulu + Live TV is now a joint partnership with Fubo. With this merger the, fully merging the two apps with all of its features has not happened at this time.
The lack of an immediate or precisely dated end to the Hulu app offers subscribers the option to keep using only Hulu if they want at this time. The question now is what exactly is the future of Hulu after months of reports that the app would soon shut down. Disney has now started to push back on those reports.
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