Disney+ Adds Live TV, Combines Profiles in Major Update

Disney's CFO Hugh Johnston revealed that the company is incorporating live TV into its Disney+ platform. This move aims to enhance user retention and reduce churn, a key strategy for the media giant in 2026.

The update will bring Hulu Plus Live TV into the Disney+ app, along with an interactive TV guide on the streaming service's user interface by the end of this year. Users with a live TV bundle will have access to local broadcast affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as pay-TV news and entertainment channels such as CNN and MSNBC.

The company has also rolled out 24/7 linear channels that function like traditional TV, organized under a dedicated Live Hub tile in the navigation menu. Premium-tier subscribers will get curated 24/7 feeds for popular franchises like 'The Simpsons,' Disney+ Playtime, Pixar, Disney Princesses, and 'Star Wars.'

The integration of Disney+ and Hulu profile accounts is also underway, with Johnston stating that this will create a one-fan, one-account ecosystem. The goal is to increase engagement and reduce churn among users.