Here, we’ll discuss Hulu’s live TV service in detail and see if it’s the right one for you!
Hulu + Live TV History
Hulu’s on-demand service launched in 2010, but the live TV service only came seven years later, with the platform going live in May 2017. In the years that have passed, the service has only grown in popularity and coverage, allowing subscribers to watch content from more and more channels they love.
As per Disney’s Q4 2021 earnings report, Hulu + Live TV has 4 million subscribers as of the last quarter of 2021, 300,000 more than the previous quarter.
Hulu + Live TV Subscription Offers & Price
Hulu’s Live TV service is available as a standalone subscription, featuring over 75 live and on-demand channels, two simultaneous streams, and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage for $68.99 per month.
However, to make it clear that they want to steer you towards what they dub as a “new TV experience,” the plan that features the Live TV service, as well as access to Hulu’s video-on-demand service, Disney+, and ESPN+ costs $1 more, the whole bundle going for a total of $69.99 per month.
There’s also the option to go for Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $75.99 per month if you want to get rid of all the annoying ads you can.
This is, indeed, an all-inclusive offer, and it’s possible to tweak the subscription to include more content. On the downside, if you want to take something out, like, let’s say ESPN+ since you’re not a big sports fan, you can’t.
Hulu + Live TV Channels
Unlike other similar live TV services, Hulu doesn’t have different bundles serving you with a diverse collection of channels. Instead, everyone gets the same ones everywhere, with the only differences being the localized stations for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
Hulu + Live TV features over 80 channels in total. The list includes Animal Planet, BET, CNN, HGTV, National Geographic, Food Network, ESPN, E!, Discovery Channel, The CW, MTV, NFL Network, History, as well as kids’ networks like Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, or Nickelodeon.
Hulu + Live TV Customization
As we’ve mentioned before, there are some customization options for Hulu + Live TV subscribers. Of course, they will all cost you extra, but you can get premium networks, fiddle with the Cloud DVR capacity, get to stream on more devices at the same time, or add some of the extra channel packs they have available.
When it comes to premium channels, Hulu + Live TV offers four of them, namely HBO Max ($14.99 per month), Cinemax ($9.99 per month), SHOWTIME ($10.99 per month), and STARZ ($8.99 per month).
The base subscription offers 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage space, but the Enhanced Cloud DVR option pushes the capacity to 200 hours for $9.99 per month.
Similarly, the subscription includes the ability to stream on two different devices simultaneously. However, the Unlimited Screens feature lifts that limitation for $9.99 per month. However, you should know that the “unlimited” part is only for home use. Therefore, when you’re on the go, you’re back to a max of three simultaneous streams. Additionally, if you also pay for HBO, Cinemax, STARZ, or SHOWTIME, you’ll only be able to watch these premium channels on a maximum of five screens.
Hulu offers a bundle for $14.98 per month for those who want both of these.
You can also add more channel packs to your subscription. The Entertainment add-on, for instance, features 15 extra networks, including AHC, BET Her, Cooking Channel, Crime + Investigation, Discovery Life, Magnolia Network, and Teen Nick. This one will cost you an additional $7.99 per month.
The Español Add-on brings the Spanish version of seven networks, including CNN and Discovery, for $4.99 per month.
Finally, the Sports add-on costs an extra $9.99 per month and adds NFL RedZone to your subscription, as well as five other networks.
Hulu + Live TV Devices
Hulu + Live TV tries to be available on as many devices as possible, giving users the possibility to enjoy the service anywhere and everywhere. In fact, it’s the only live TV service available on all major gaming consoles.
Here’s a full list of compatible devices:
If you’re wondering about exact compatibility, you can check out the complete list of supported devices that Hulu provides.
Is Hulu + Live TV Worth It?
The big question about Hulu + Live TV is whether or not it is worth the trouble of cutting the cord. While this is a personal decision for every user, the service is a great one and deserves a chance.
Not only does it feature a ton of channels you’ll love, but you can also customize it quite a bit. Perhaps more importantly, however, is the fact that Hulu + Live TV tries to cover all the content you could want.
On the one hand, you have lots of great channels, and on another, you get to stream all the incredible shows and movies on Hulu. And on top of that, you also get Disney+ and ESPN+.
Considering all the content and perks, this is an excellent deal for anyone who wants to cut the cord. The fact that you can watch all of these on pretty much any device you have at home is a definitive plus. You can even use voice commands to control Hulu, which is a great perk.
