Disney is expanding the way fans experience one of television’s most iconic music competitions. Beginning March 30, American Idol will stream live on Disney+, airing simultaneously with its traditional broadcast on ABC.
The move marks a major shift for the long-running series, blending live broadcast television with streaming in real time and giving fans more ways to watch as the competition heats up.
A New Live Viewing Experience
Starting March 30, new episodes of American Idol will air live on ABC and stream live on Disney+ in local time zones. The show will continue to stream next day on Hulu, maintaining its existing viewing options while adding a new real-time streaming layer.
American Idol airs Mondays at 8:00 p.m. on ABC, with Disney+ now joining the live experience during the season’s Hollywood and performance rounds.
A First-Ever Official American Idol Podcast
Alongside the live-streaming announcement, Disney also revealed the launch of the first-ever official American Idol podcast.
Debuting with the start of the live shows, the podcast will stream on Disney+ and Hulu. Each week, it will dive deeper into the performances fans are talking about, featuring exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert breakdowns of judges’ critiques.
The podcast is designed to bring viewers closer to the competition than ever before, extending the Idol experience beyond the stage.
Why This Matters for Disney Fans
This move reflects Disney’s broader strategy of blending live television and streaming into a single viewing ecosystem. By bringing American Idol live to Disney+, the company is creating shared, real-time moments while still supporting on-demand viewing through Hulu.
Our Take
American Idol going live on Disney+ feels like a natural next step.
The show thrives on live reactions, shared moments, and real-time fan engagement. Adding Disney+ to the live mix strengthens that experience while signaling where Disney sees the future of event television heading.
March 30 could mark the beginning of a new era for how major live competition shows reach audiences.
