Disney+ Expands Into Live Music With Global Festival Streaming Push Alongside Hulu
Disney+ is stepping much deeper into the live music business. For the first time, the streaming platform will join Hulu in bringing major music festivals directly to audiences worldwide, expanding access to some of the biggest live events of the year and signaling a major evolution in Disney's broader streaming strategy. Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits will now stream live across both platforms globally, dramatically increasing the reach of festivals that historically required fans to either travel or rely on limited coverage.
The move marks a substantial shift from Hulu's earlier role as the primary streaming destination for these events. Hulu first expanded its partnership with Live Nation and C3 Presents in 2022, becoming the official streaming home for festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits. Those livestreams introduced millions of viewers to multi-channel festival broadcasts, behind-the-scenes footage, and artist interviews.
Now Disney is taking that concept global.
According to Disney, subscribers worldwide will gain access not only to live performances but also festival highlights, artist interviews, and expanded behind-the-scenes content. The company will continue using its on-site "Live Set" studio concept to create supplemental programming throughout festival weekends.
The rollout covers three of North America's biggest music events. Bonnaroo returns to Tennessee in June, Lollapalooza arrives in Chicago later in the summer, and Austin City Limits closes out the season in Texas. Exact artist schedules and livestream programming are expected closer to each event date.
The expansion also reveals a larger industry trend. Streaming services increasingly appear interested in owning live experiences rather than simply hosting catalogs of movies and television. Platforms are competing for real-time engagement — sports, concerts, festivals, live specials, and cultural moments audiences watch together.
For Disney, music festivals may fit naturally into a broader strategy already expanding through ESPN integration, Hulu content, and live programming initiatives. Meanwhile, live music itself has become increasingly global. Fans routinely follow artists and festival culture across countries and platforms regardless of geography. Disney specifically pointed toward changing audience behavior and growing international fandom as part of the decision.
The timing may prove especially significant as streaming companies continue searching for experiences capable of attracting subscribers beyond traditional scripted content.
Because increasingly, platforms are not competing simply over what people watch.
They're competing over where major cultural moments happen live.
