Disney+ transforms in South Africa: A new era of streaming with Hulu and beyond

South African Disney fans are buckling up for a seismic shift in their streaming experience as The Walt Disney Company unveils a bold rebrand and tech overhaul for Disney+ starting October 8, 2025. The Star general entertainment brand, a fan-favourite for gritty dramas and binge-worthy comedies, will morph into Hulu, aligning South Africa with global markets while ushering in a suite of cutting-edge features. From a sleek new homepage to a smarter recommendation algorithm, Disney is doubling down on delivering a personalized, intuitive platform that promises to keep Mzansi hooked, whether you’re rewatching The Lion King or diving into Only Murders in the Building. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a glimpse into a unified streaming future that’s got South Africans ready to hit “play” on a new chapter of entertainment.

The rebrand kicks off with Star’s transformation into Hulu, a change that swaps out the familiar tile on Disney+’s homepage for one joining the iconic ranks of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic. While the content remains unchanged, think High Potential, Alien: Earth, Modern Family, and upcoming gems like All’s Fair and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 3; the shift from Star Original to Hulu Original branding signals Disney’s global push for consistency. “Customers will still have access to all their favourite shows,” assures Disney, emphasizing continuity for South Africa, where Hulu as a standalone service doesn’t exist. The move sets the stage for a fully integrated Disney+ and Hulu app in early 2026, a unification that could bridge the gap between South Africa’s Hotstar-based app and the feature-rich version enjoyed in markets like the US.

But it’s not just about a new logo. Disney+ is rolling out a revamped homepage with a cinematic Hero carousel, dynamic brand rows showcasing fresh titles, and poster-style artwork that pops. A new horizontal navigation bar introduces tabs like “For You,” Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, powered by a souped-up algorithm that learns your viewing habits over time. Add to that a Live hub for real-time sports, news, and 24/7 streams, including two recently added ESPN Africa channels, and profiles that spotlight personalized picks, and you’ve got a platform that feels tailor-made. “It’s the new homebase for recommended viewing,” Disney explains, addressing past gripes about the Hotstar app’s clunky interface compared to its US counterpart. For rural fans battling spotty broadband (a reality for 30% of households, per ICASA), mobile-first features like iOS widgets and low-data modes are on the horizon, ensuring no one misses out on A Thousand Blows Season 2.

The changes come at a pivotal moment for Disney in South Africa, where streaming wars pit it against Netflix and Showmax in a market of 8 million DStv households. The Hotstar-developed app, long criticized for lagging behind its global peers, is finally catching up, with Disney teasing “mobile-exclusive experiences” in 2026 to hook new audiences. Early adopters are buzzing, with sign-ups already climbing 15% after recent DStv bundle announcements. Yet, some fans remain wary, citing data costs and the R159 premium tier’s bite in an inflation-squeezed economy. “It’s exciting, but Wi-Fi isn’t everywhere,” notes Durban student Sipho Ngcobo on Twitter/X. Disney’s response? A commitment to offline downloads and Afrikaans-dubbed titles to keep Mzansi’s diverse viewers in the fold.

As Disney+ evolves, it’s clear the mouse is playing a long game, blending global ambition with local flavor. From Moana sequels to Mandalorian & Grogu, the content pipeline is stacked, and the tech upgrades signal a platform ready to compete. For South African families, it’s a chance to swap channel-surfing for curated binges, with Hulu’s edgy flair complementing Disney’s timeless charm. As the unified app looms, one thing’s certain: in Mzansi’s streaming savanna, Disney+ is roaring louder than ever, and fans are ready to pounce on the next big adventure.