Independent guide Not affiliated with Hulu or The Walt Disney Company. Pricing and eligibility verified April 2026, subject to change. Always confirm at hulu.com before signing up.

Verified April 2026

What the Disney+/Hulu Merger Means for Your Free Trial (Late 2026)

The Hulu app is being absorbed into Disney+ in late 2026. Here is what that means for your free trial, your subscription, and whether to sign up now or wait.

The quick summary

+Hulu content is NOT going away - it migrates into the Disney+ app
+Existing subscriptions continue automatically - no action required
+The 30-day free trial is confirmed available through April 2026
?Post-merger trial availability is unconfirmed - could change
?The Hulu standalone app will be sunset in late 2026
-Disney is not refunding, cancelling, or discontinuing Hulu subscriptions

Timeline: what is happening and when

2021
Disney acquires full ownership of Hulu from Comcast, completing the process begun in 2019.
2023
Disney announces plan to integrate Hulu content into the Disney+ app. The Hulu brand to continue as a hub.
Early 2024
Disney+ begins showing some Hulu content on its platform (in bundle subscriptions). Apps remain separate.
2025
Integration continues. Disney CEO signals the Hulu app sunset is the goal for late 2026.
April 2026
Hulu app remains standalone. 30-day free trial confirmed available. Merger timeline still targeting end of 2026.
Late 2026 (target)
Hulu app is planned to be sunset. All content moves into the Disney+ app. Subscriptions continue.

What changes for subscribers?

What does NOT change
  • Your subscription and billing
  • Access to all Hulu content
  • Hulu Originals (The Bear, Only Murders, etc.)
  • Current-season network TV access
  • Your account history and watchlist
  • Pricing (as of April 2026)
What WILL change
  • The Hulu standalone app will be retired
  • You will watch Hulu content through Disney+
  • The Hulu brand becomes a section within Disney+
  • Trial terms post-merger are unconfirmed
  • Possible pricing changes at plan renewal

Should I sign up for the trial now or wait for the merger?

Signing up now is the lower-risk option. The 30-day free trial is confirmed available and the rules are known. Post-merger, trial terms could change, be restructured, or have different eligibility windows.

The 30-day window also gives you a chance to evaluate Hulu's content library before the app interface changes. If you are on the fence about Hulu vs Disney+, the trial lets you experience Hulu's specific strengths: current-season network TV, Hulu Originals, and the on-demand library without the Disney/Marvel/Star Wars framing of Disney+.

If you were planning to sign up eventually, there is no reason to delay. The merger does not reduce the value of the trial content.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hulu going away in 2026?
The Hulu app is being sunset in late 2026, but Hulu content is not going away. All content migrates into the Disney+ app. Your subscription continues automatically. The Hulu brand becomes a hub within Disney+.
Will the Hulu free trial still be available after the merger?
Unknown. The 30-day trial is confirmed available through April 2026. Post-merger trial availability has not been confirmed. Signing up now is the lower-risk option.
When is the Hulu/Disney+ merger happening?
The Hulu app sunset is targeted for end of calendar year 2026. No specific date announced as of April 2026.
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