Disney+ Announces Dynamic App Redesign for iOS and tvOS

Disney announced last week that beginning October 8, Hulu will replace Star as the company’s global General Entertainment brand. This change prompts a brand new, unified app experience. In the coming weeks and months, Disney+ will roll out several changes to the app. That includes simpler navigation and UX design, more personalized recommendations, and a more dynamic and visual homepage.

Here’s What Users Can Expect

The redesign will feature a brand new navigation bar on the homepage. It includes a “For You” tab that relies on an updated algorithm to recommend content based on past user activity. The new homepage will also include tabs for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN—allowing users to navigate each catalog individually. Users will only see tabs included with their current subscription.

The vertical navigation menu will feature a brand new “Live” hub, taking users directly to live content and 24/7 streams.

User profiles will be featured more prominently on the app. Here, users can find titles personally recommended to them based on previous viewing habits. This comes as part of an upgraded personalized video algorithm that Disney says will learn and improve over time.

Other Changes Include:

• New badging tags like “Season Finale,” “New Series,” and “New Movie” for content
• Cinematic-style poster artwork for titles
• Updated video display in the Hero carousel
• Dynamic brand row showcasing the latest titles from each brand
• Widgets on iOS that take users to content directly

These changes are set to roll out over the next year, creating a more dynamic, unified app experience. While many of the enhancements above center around tvOS, there will also be updates enhancing the mobile experience. Disney has not yet released the details.