Disney+ to integrate Hulu, ESPN to acquire NFL streaming assets, and WWE's WrestleMania rights.

Disney is integrating Hulu into its streaming service, Disney+, creating a unified app experience with branded and general entertainment, news, and sports content. The company has also acquired the NFL's streaming assets, including NFL Network and NFL RedZone, and signed a $1.6 billion deal with the WWE, making ESPN the exclusive home for WWE Premium Live Events. Despite a 5% drop in revenue for its sports division, Disney's streaming business remains profitable, while its TV and film studios show fatigue.

Disney has announced a significant move in its streaming strategy by fully integrating Hulu into its Disney+ platform, creating a unified app experience for subscribers. This integration is set to launch in 2026 and will offer a comprehensive package of entertainment, news, and sports content. The company expects this move to enhance consumer experience, drive higher engagement, and boost advertising revenue potential.

According to Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston, the integration will create a "unified app experience" that combines the highest caliber brands and franchises, general entertainment, kids programming, news, and industry-leading live sports content in a single app [1]. This move follows Disney's acquisition of Comcast's one-third stake in Hulu, which was finalized in June 2025 [2].

The new app will also see Hulu becoming a global general entertainment brand, replacing the Star tile on Disney+ internationally starting in the fall of 2025 [1]. Additionally, Disney has migrated Hulu's live TV subscribers to Fubo under a proposed joint venture majority-owned by Disney [1].

In a statement, Disney executives said the merging of Hulu into Disney+ would give subscribers more choice and personalization, enhancing the company's ability to grow profitability and margins in its entertainment streaming business [1]. The integration is expected to save Disney around $3 billion through the elimination of duplicative technology and administrative costs [2].

Disney has also announced the launch of its stand-alone ESPN streaming service on August 21, priced at $29.99 per month. This service will be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for a single monthly fee [3]. Furthermore, Disney has secured a deal with the NFL, acquiring its streaming assets, including NFL Network and NFL RedZone, and signed a $1.6 billion deal with the WWE, making ESPN the exclusive home for WWE Premium Live Events [3].

Despite a 5% drop in revenue for its sports division, Disney's streaming business remains profitable, with Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions totaling 183 million, up 2.6 million from the second quarter [3]. However, the company's TV and film studios show signs of fatigue, with declining box office revenues and reduced demand for traditional TV advertising.

References:
[1] https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/hulu-app-phased-out-disney-plus-fully-integrating-1236480450/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-become-1-starting-next-122011556.html
[3] https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/hulu-disney-combined-one-app-135911750.html