Way back in 2021, Disney launched its Star Hub on Disney+ in several countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. Star served as Disney’s international general entertainment hub, bringing Hulu Originals, FX, and ABC content to global audiences under the Star Originals branding.
The reason Disney opted for Star rather than expanding Hulu internationally was due to Comcast owning 33% of Hulu. Disney couldn’t buy out Comcast’s stake until 2024, following a 2019 agreement when Disney acquired 20th Century Fox.
Signs of a Transition to Hulu Internationally
Disney recently made notable updates to Disney+ outside the US:
- Thumbnails for Star Originals now feature the Hulu logo.
- Even the banner for the new series Interior Chinatown prominently displays the Hulu logo.
Some affected titles include:
- Extraordinary
- The Kardashians
- Interior Chinatown
- Life & Beth
- The Orville
- Big Bet
- Freaknik
These updates suggest a soft rollout of Hulu branding internationally. However, there’s also speculation it could simply be a glitch, as similar changes have been reversed in the past.
Why This Change Might Make Sense
Disney is finalizing its purchase of Comcast’s Hulu stake. Once completed, merging Hulu into Disney+ globally could:
- Streamline branding: Reducing the need for separate Star and Hulu artwork and trailers.
- Cut marketing costs: A unified global entertainment hub simplifies advertising efforts.
- Improve user experience: Familiarising international subscribers with Hulu branding could ease the transition.
The Bigger Picture
Recent Disney+ updates, such as introducing Hulu On Disney+ in the US, point toward a unified streaming service. Additionally, Disney’s spin-off of Star India could indicate the company is consolidating its brands worldwide.
While these changes might just be experimental or accidental, they align with Disney’s larger strategy of integrating its platforms and simplifying its offerings globally.
What do you think? Could Hulu fully replace Star on Disney+? Share your thoughts on social media!
