 |
| Some Disney streaming employees say they're not worried about layoffs as Hulu fully integrates into Disney+. SOPA Images/Getty Images |
Inside Disney’s streaming division, the mood is surprisingly upbeat.
Following the company’s recent announcement that it will fully merge Hulu into Disney+ by 2026, employees say the long-awaited integration is being seen internally as a win for efficiency, innovation, and user experience.
In interviews with Truth Sider, three Disney employees who work across various teams in the streaming business described the move as a positive and logical step forward, one that not only aligns with the company's evolving digital strategy but could also streamline product development and advertising operations.
“A unified app built on a single tech platform could really help with product quality, innovation, and maintenance,” said one employee with knowledge of the business side of Disney’s streaming unit.
A Smarter Platform and a Stronger Brand
From the inside, the shift appears to be less about consolidation and more about rebuilding Disney’s streaming presence for a competitive future. One software engineer suggested that the move may boost Disney’s overall brand strength in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape. Combining Hulu’s content with Disney+’s infrastructure could enhance content discovery, recommendation systems, and technical performance.
“This has the potential to significantly improve our recommendation algorithms and backend systems,” the engineer noted. “It’s a much smarter way to present our content catalog to users.”
Meanwhile, advertising teams are already seeing benefits.
Disney recently transitioned Hulu and Disney+ to operate under a unified ad server, a major shift that simplifies the way campaigns are run and reduces duplication of effort. The decision was first reported by Truth Sider last week.
“Everything going through one ad server makes a lot less work for everyone involved when it comes to getting ad campaigns live,” said an advertising staffer familiar with the transition.
Behind the Scenes: Hulu’s Fading Role, Streamlined Costs
For months, Disney had been subtly dialing back its emphasis on Hulu, an editorial and business shift that did not go unnoticed by those working on the platform. The latest news marks the formal next step: Hulu’s full integration into the broader Disney+ platform.
According to MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman, this merger could lead to up to $3 billion in cost savings by eliminating duplicate technology systems and administrative roles across the two services.
On Disney’s latest earnings call, CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the company now operates both platforms under a single ad tech stack and is actively building a unified platform to host all streaming content. However, he stopped short of commenting on potential reductions in administrative overhead or staff.
No Layoff Fears At Least Not for Now
Despite those cost-saving estimates, the Disney employees who spoke with Truth Sider say they aren’t expecting major layoffs, at least not in the short term.
“They already ran one round of layoffs this year,” said a second software engineer. “They usually don’t double up in a year.”
Another employee even hinted that the opposite may be true.
“Every team I work with is over-tasked and looking to add more people,” said the first software engineer, suggesting that while Disney is streamlining operations, it’s still pushing hard on product development and execution.
Disney has not responded to media requests for comment on the integration, potential restructuring, or staffing implications.
The Bigger Picture: One App, One Future
The consolidation of Hulu into Disney+ comes as part of a broader trend in the streaming industry, where platform fragmentation is giving way to bundled and unified experiences. As media companies seek to cut costs, improve retention, and reduce churn, having a single point of access for users and advertisers is becoming the dominant strategy.
For Disney employees, especially those working on the back-end systems, this is more than just a branding decision it’s an engineering, workflow, and operational overhaul that could help the company become more agile, more focused, and more responsive in a competitive marketplace.
And, for now at least, the people building that future seem energized rather than anxious.
