Disney+ and Hulu will livestream the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits Music Festival [1].
This move marks a significant expansion of live event programming for the Disney-owned platforms. By bringing these high-profile U.S. events to a global audience, the company aims to diversify its content library and attract viewers who prioritize live music and cultural experiences over traditional scripted series.
The announcement, made Monday, confirms that three [1] major festivals will be available for streaming. These include Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois, and Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas [2]. This is the first time these specific events will be streamed globally via Disney+ and Hulu [3].
The strategy focuses on leveraging the massive reach of Disney+ to export U.S. festival culture to international markets. While the festivals have previously utilized various streaming partners or local broadcasts, the unified approach with Hulu and Disney+ provides a centralized hub for viewers. This integration allows the company to capitalize on the popularity of the artists performing at these venues, ranging from indie acts to global superstars.
Industry analysts note that the push into live music streaming reflects a broader trend of entertainment giants competing for "appointment viewing." By securing the rights to these three [1] festivals, Disney+ is positioning itself as a destination for live entertainment rather than just a repository for movie franchises and animated hits. The move is intended to expand the global content offering and broaden the platforms' appeal across different demographics [4].
Viewers will be able to access the broadcasts through their respective subscriptions, though specific scheduling and regional availability for the 2026 season have not yet been detailed in the initial announcement [1].
“Disney+ and Hulu will livestream the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits Music Festival.”
This partnership signals Disney's intent to move beyond static libraries and into the high-stakes world of live event broadcasting. By controlling the distribution of major festivals, Disney+ can drive new subscriptions and increase user retention through time-sensitive content that cannot be watched on-demand in the same way as a film. This puts the company in direct competition with other platforms that have attempted to capture the live music market, potentially shifting how music festivals monetize their digital reach.
