Disneyannounced several updates for its streaming services during itsquarterly earnings call, with significant changes coming soon. Starting with ESPN, Disney revealed that its new long-awaitedESPN streaming servicewill officially launch on August 21. Coincidentally, the same day, Fox is set to launch its new standalone streaming service, FOX One.
What makes this new ESPN streaming service different fromESPN+is that the all-in-one service will include all of ESPN’s linear TV networks. That means all the ESPN channels you see on TV, such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS, and more, will be available on the platform, making it easier to watch your favorite sports content live.
Earlier this year, it was announced that ESPN would name its new streaming service simply ESPN, with a monthly cost of $30. A bundle with ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ was also announced, priced at $35 a month. However, when ESPN launches, the bundle will be available for $30 per month as a special promotion for the first 12 months – effectively giving viewers Disney+ and Hulu for free for a year with the new ESPN streamer.
ESPN has also inked a new deal with the NFL to acquire the National Football League (NFL) Network for its new streaming service. In exchange, the NFL is receiving a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN. Additionally, ESPN has signed a five-year deal with the WWE to exclusively feature WWE events on ESPN, including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, starting in 2026.
However, the Disney press drums don’t end with the announcement of ESPN’s new streaming service launching on August 21 and the NFL and WWE deals. Disney’s other major streaming service,Hulu, is set for a major overhaul in 2026.
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Disney is scrapping the standalone Hulu app
Hulu will be “fully integrating” with Disney+ in 2026
In June, Disney completed a deal to acquire 100 percent ownership of Hulu after buying out Comcast’s remaining stake. Now, the mouse is working to maximize its full ownership of Hulu. Disney has announced that in 2026, it will be “fully integrating” Hulu into Disney+.
That means Hulu’s standalone app will cease to exist in 2026, and all of Hulu’s content will be available through Disney+.
“Today we are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+,” CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston said in prepared remarks for Disney’s quarterly earnings (viaVariety). “This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.”
I can imagine now, with Hulu fully integrating into Disney+ in 2026, that Disney will likely promote its Disney+ and Hulu bundle more aggressively than ever.
Disney also announced that Hulu will become an international brand, replacing the STAR tile on Disney+ worldwide. According toVariety, a Disney representative said customers will still be able to purchase a standalone Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. However, I can imagine now, with Hulu fully integrating into Disney+ in 2026, that Disney will likely promote its Disney+ and Hulu bundle more aggressively than ever. Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that fully integrating Hulu into Disney+ will provide an “improved customer experience.”
Disney’s streaming empire has come a long way since the launch of Disney+ in 2019, and it appears that this fall, leading into 2026, will be a pivotal time for its business.
