Disney+ is preparing a comprehensive redesign of its app for iOS and tvOS. The platform will become the central hub for not only Disney+ content, but also titles from Hulu and ESPN. With this move, Disney is sending a clear message to the streaming market and adapting the user experience to the growing diversity of its offerings.
The new app design coincides with the global launch of Hulu. Hulu replaces the previous international "Star" branding and will thus be marketed consistently globally. At the same time, Disney+ is moving more strongly into the role of a centralized entertainment platform that combines films, series, live TV, and sports.
New navigation bar and personalized recommendations
The biggest visible change is the new navigation bar at the top of the screen. There's now a "For You" tab. This serves as a home screen for personalized recommendations and displays recently viewed content. The principle is reminiscent of Apple's TV app and Netflix's redesigned interface. The same bar features dedicated tabs for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. Which tabs appear depends on the subscription plan. This allows you to browse the content of each service separately. This provides more clarity, especially with popular bundled offers.
Focus on live content
Another key innovation is the new "Live" tab. This provides direct access to 24/7 streams and traditional live TV. Disney+ thus expands its offering to include a more traditional TV experience that goes beyond pure on-demand streaming.
Profiles and better recommendations
Profiles play a larger role in the new design and are displayed much more prominently. This is important not only for the overview, but also for the updated video algorithm. Disney has revised it to better tailor recommendations to personal viewing habits.
Further innovations in detail
The redesign brings a number of other changes:
- In the future, content will be marked with badge tags such as “season finale,” “new series,” or “new movie.”
- Cinema-style posters provide a more premium look, similar to the Apple TV app.
- Videos are prominently displayed in the Hero Carousel, often with trailers.
- A dynamic brand series highlights the latest content from Disney brands.
- Widgets for iOS allow quick access to content directly from the home screen.
Mobile-first as a prospect
Disney has also announced plans to introduce mobile-first and mobile-exclusive experiences next year. While details aren't available yet, one thing is clear: the mobile experience will play an even greater role.
Disney+ becomes the central entertainment platform
With the redesign, Disney+ continues to evolve into a comprehensive platform that goes beyond traditional streaming services. The integration of Hulu and ESPN, the new navigation bar, live content, improved personalization, and visual customization create a modern, diverse user experience. Disney+ is thus more firmly positioned as a central hub for movies, series, sports, and live TV – and is taking an important step toward global unification. (Image: Shutterstock / Diego Thomazini)
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