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

In 2024, Disney+ bundle subscribers in the US had the Hulu library integrated into the Disney+ app. Soon, the UK and Europe will follow suit… sort of.

Series and films such as The Bear, Only Murders in the Building and Poor Things were already housed on Disney+ UK under the Star label. Essentially, this will be rebranded to Hulu, unifying the app across the pond.

If you’re in America, things work a little differently. Hulu is still on the Disney+ website and app, but the content isn’t bundled into a full subscription like it is in the UK.

If you want to know what this means for you and your subscription, then keep on reading. You can also check out our chart of the best TV streaming services.  

When is Disney+ UK getting Hulu?

Disney has now confirmed that Star will be rebranded as Hulu from 8 October 2025.

Content from this label is already available to stream, and that’s not changing. This news was confirmed during Disney’s quarterly earnings call by CEO, Bob Iger.

For reference, here is what the Star label currently looks like:

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

I’m a Disney+ UK subscriber – will I have to pay more for Hulu? 

While a price hike hasn’t been named specifically for the Hulu rebrand, Disney did change its subscription costs right at the end of September.

That said, this impacts every plan, so if you want to stream Hulu content, it won’t cost you anything extra – just as it doesn’t cost anything extra to watch Star content now.

Is the Hulu app being shut down in the US? 

For American subscribers, one key change happening is that Disney+ and Hulu will be completely merged into one unified app by 2026. This news was confirmed on the same call as the news above.

According to Variety, the move will deliver an “improved consumer experience”. While this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, you may be a little confused if you only subscribe to just Disney+ or Hulu.

I’m a Disney+/Hulu standalone subscriber in the US – will I have to pay more? 

If you’re only subscribed to Disney+ or Hulu, then you won’t be forced to pay more to be on a bundle. The same article above confirms that subscribers will still be able to buy Disney+ and Hulu as standalone memberships.

Of course, you can also access Hulu content by using a VPN (such as NordVPN) to watch an international version of Disney+, which includes the Star (later to be Hulu) library – we have a guide if you want to learn more.  

That said, prices for both services went up at the end of September 2025 – you can see those prices here.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Is ESPN+ content also integrated on the Disney+ app? 

If you’re subscribed to the Disney Bundle Trio Basic or Premium, then yes you can access some sports programming directly through the Disney+ app. But you also have the option of using the ESPN+ app, just as it with Hulu (for now).

Why is Disney+ integrating Hulu into its library? 

According to Variety, one motivation for this move is to increase the number of hours customers spend watching content by putting everything in one place, and perhaps suggesting new things that viewers may not have considered. 

The other is to drive more people to the bundles, thereby bringing in more dosh for The House of Mouse. Disney+ saw subscription losses in 2023, so it’s no surprise to see it working on other methods to be more profitable.  

You can also read: Why The Simpsons ending at season 40 seems likelier than ever.