Is Hulu + Live TV coming to Disney+? Exec says streamer ‘likely’ to add live TV
Is Hulu + Live TV coming to Disney+? Exec says streamer ‘likely’ to add live TV
Disney CFO Hugh Johnston has revealed more live TV is likely headed to the Disney+ app, and gave an update on the company’s FAST ambitions.
Disney has done quite a bit of work to overhaul the Disney+ app in the past couple of years. Most recently, the company began allowing bundle subscribers to link their Hulu profile to the Disney+ app, moving their watch histories and lists to that platform. However, the evolution is far from complete, as Disney CFO Hugh Johnston made clear when speaking to analysts at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference.
Key Details:
- Let’s go live: More live TV is coming to the Disney+ app.
- Free stuff: The company is still strongly considering adding FAST content to the Disney+ app.
- Bye bye: If Hulu + Live TV is added to the Disney+ app, it’s another sign that the Hulu app is going away.
When asked about the ongoing integration of Hulu and Disney+, Johnston pointed to the profile-linking feature, saying that the company has created a “one fan, one account” ecosystem. He said that next, the company is likely to add live TV to the Disney+ app, as it “drives engagement in a more substantive way.”
In the context of the question, it’s possible that Johnston meant Hulu + Live TV itself is coming to the Disney+ app. If so, it would allow subscribers of Disney’s live TV streaming service to watch the broadcast and cable channels that they subscribe to in the same interface as all of the on-demand content from Disney+ and Hulu, helping to further build the one-account ecosystem Johnston touted.
Disney+ has already rolled out live streams of ABC content in select markets, and also offers a number of live sports from ESPN to all subscribers. But a larger integration of live content on the platform would make Disney+ a leader in offering both live content and on-demand video all in one place. Such a move would also hasten Disney’s previously expressed desire to eventually have all of its streaming offerings under a single umbrella.
Johnston also had the chance to talk about the possibility of adding free streaming content to Disney+. Earlier this summer, reports emerged that Disney was considering the launch of a free tier of Disney+. Johnston said free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels could help the service reach new customers and keep more price-sensitive viewers in the fold, but stopped short of sharing any details about Disney’s future FAST plans.
“We actually need more inventory and a FAST channel would offer us the opportunity to bring more inventory into our ecosystem,” he said. “So we’re certainly excited about that. It also represents an opportunity if someone is thinking about churning out to keep them in the ecosystem by downgrading and offering us the opportunity later to sell and upgrade them back into Disney+, the primary.”
The one thing Disney+ seemingly won’t do in the coming months is stand still. Company executives have big plans for the streaming service, including the addition of more live TV channels and FAST content in hopes of making the app an everyday visit for subscribers.
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”