Disney and Hulu to live-stream Lollapalooza in expanded Live Nation deal
The Walt Disney Company and Live Nation are expanding their live-streaming partnership to broadcast the Chicago music festival, highlighting a strategic push to monetise global audiences through direct-to-consumer platforms.
The Walt Disney Company and Live Nation have announced an expanded partnership to live-stream the upcoming Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. The four-day event, running from July 30 to August 2, will be broadcast directly to Disney+ and Hulu subscribers.
The lineup features acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Turnstile, The XX, and Wolf Alice. Rather than restricting access to the physical attendees at Grant Park, the organisers are leveraging streaming technology to reach a worldwide audience.
This move underscores a strategic shift in the entertainment economy, where physical events are increasingly used to drive digital subscription growth. For Disney, integrating live music into its direct-to-consumer portfolio provides a competitive edge against rival streaming platforms seeking unique live content.
Lauren Tempest, Head of Content Planning and Partnerships for direct-to-consumer at Disney, stated that music festivals are "can't-miss moments in culture". She noted the company remains committed to extending its live offerings and bringing iconic moments to fans alongside Live Nation.
Kevin Chernett, Executive Vice President of Global Media Partnerships at Live Nation, highlighted the evolution of festival attendance. He argued that these events are becoming "global live moments" that fans wish to experience in real time, regardless of their physical location.
The broadcast is tied directly to subscription tiers, turning audience access into a recurring revenue stream. In the United States, the Disney and Hulu bundle starts at $9.99 per month, while UK subscribers can access the standard tier for £9.99.
The Lollapalooza broadcast joins other live music properties in the Disney ecosystem, following similar coverage of Bonnaroo and the Austin City Limits festival. It also complements the platform's existing catalogue of music documentaries, including recent projects covering The Beatles and The Beach Boys.
By transforming geographically bound concerts into scalable digital products, media conglomerates and live entertainment giants are redefining the economics of the modern music festival. This partnership signals that live event streaming is no longer a secondary feature, but a core component of global media strategy.
