Today, Disney begins expanding its refreshed Disney+ platform design to additional subscribers across the United States. The update adopts a bold, visually striking style reminiscent of Netflix's layout, arriving shortly after the firm's October adjustment that raised prices for its dual subscription options.
A key modification in the revamped Disney+ includes a horizontal menu bar offering distinct sections for personalized picks (For You), core Disney+ offerings, Hulu integration, and ESPN content. The service now utilizes an advanced algorithm to refine suggestions based on prior viewing patterns, while also embedding live television options through a specialized entry in its sidebar navigation. In international markets, this design refresh aligns with Disney's effort to convert its Star platform into Hulu.
This layout evolution marks a further advancement in Disney's roadmap to seamlessly incorporate Hulu into Disney+ by 2026. At present, Hulu maintains its own section in the app, yet it will ultimately join the diverse content streams curated by Disney+. In parallel, the live programming aspects of Hulu + Live TV are slated for consolidation with Fubo, yielding a more formidable alternative to YouTube TV where Disney commands a 70 percent share. The escalating rivalry between Google and Disney might contribute to the unresolved content carriage conflict, which continues to exclude outlets like ABC and ESPN from YouTube TV.