Disney+ has made a significant change to its interface by replacing the Star tab with the Hulu tab, reflecting a broader strategy by the company to integrate its brands more effectively. Despite this visual change, the content available to users remains the same, as, for example, series like ‘Only Murders in the Building’ that previously displayed the Star brand will now carry the Hulu logo.
No changes at the content level
This adjustment responds to the lack of recognition that Star had in the United States, while Hulu is a brand more rooted in the North American market. Disney has decided to leverage the name of Hulu, especially at a time when this streaming service, created in 2007 as a joint platform between various networks, is undergoing a process of dissolution as an independent brand. Hulu is expected to be fully integrated into Disney+ by 2026, which will restructure the way users access their content.
For Disney+ users outside the United States, this change will have little impact, as the integration is primarily taking place in the U.S. market. In the global context, Star was initially seen as a temporary solution to get rid of the FOX brand internationally, garnering little attention compared to its successor. The shift towards Hulu seems logical, as it seeks to consolidate all content under one umbrella and facilitate access to its numerous original productions.
As Hulu ceases to exist as an independent service, Disney’s strategy reflects a trend towards optimizing its resources and content, providing users with a more uniform and simplified experience. With this move, Disney+ not only takes a step forward in its streaming proposal, but also indicates a future where the integration of its platforms will be even more pronounced.