Article Summary
Hulu with Live TV offers cable cutters over 50 channels including local stations that can help you follow your favorite sport teams. Starting at $39.99/month Hulu with Live TV is a strong live-TV streaming service for anyone who wants to part ways with cable or satellite.
Cord cutters are certainly aware of Hulu. The on-demand streaming service has been around since 2007 and provides arguably the best selection of currently running and older television shows of any streaming video service. Top that off with hit originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and you get one of the biggest media streaming services available.
Midway through 2017 Hulu added another layer to its offerings with a new live TV subscription package. Upon its initial release Hulu with Live TV had compatible device support with few select devices and a weak offering of local stations. Nowadays, these holes in the service are filled and Hulu with Live TV has become a major player in the live-TV streaming playground.
Hulu with Live TV vs Cable and Satellite
Hulu’s on-demand streaming service was already a strong alternative to cable TV before they added live TV as an option. Cord cutters could keep up with many of the currently running shows on TV through Hulu. With live TV, Hulu has become an even bigger rival to cable and satellite providers. While you won’t get access to the hundreds of channels included in several cable TV packages, the 50+ channels Hulu offers includes several popular channels.
Pros of Hulu with Live TV:
- Savings – Hulu with Live TV starts at $39.99/month
- Access to Hulu’s on-demand service is included
- Local major network affiliates are included
- Local sports networks are available
- Channels owned by The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, NBC, and Turner are included
- No contract required
- 50 hours of DVR included
Cons of Hulu with Live TV
- No Discovery = No Shark Week
- Limited to two simultaneous screens at once (extra charge for unlimited screens)
- Commercial skipping for on-demand shows is only available for an extra charge
- DVR recordings include ads (extra charge to skip ads)
Hulu with Live TV Pricing
Hulu with Live TV starts at $39.99/month which includes Hulu’s streaming library (with commercials) and 50 hours of DVR. For an extra $4/month you can get no commercials on content you watch from the Hulu streaming library.
An extra $14.99/month can get you either 200 hours of DVR plus the ability to skip ads on recorded content OR the ability to stream on unlimited screens. Chose both options and pay just $20/month extra.
Where Can I Watch Hulu with Live TV?
While Hulu’s on-demand service was ubiquitous by 2017, when the Hulu live TV option was added it was very limited in regard to supported devices. Now, Hulu with Live TV can be accessed across many popular devices including:
- On your PC or Mac through Hulu.com
- Apple TV (4th generation or later)
- Android devices
- iPhones and iPads
- Chromecast
- Select Roku and Roku Stick models
- Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- Fire devices
- Select Samsung TVs
- Select LG TVs
- Echo Show
Hulu with Live TV Add-Ons
If you aren’t completely satisfied with Hulu with Live TV’s standard offerings, you can enhance the service with any of the available add-on features.
Premium networks HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz are available as add-ons to Hulu, but you won’t exactly be saving any money by buying from Hulu rather than directly from the networks (if they have their own streaming service). These add-ons are also available for purchase on Hulu basic.
Exclusive add-ons to Hulu with Live TV include:
- Enhanced DVR – 200 hours of recordings plus the ability to skip commercials
- Unlimited Screens – Unlimited screens at home plus up to 3 mobile screens
- Entertainment – Additional channels including CNBC World, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, FYI and Lifetime Movies
- Español – Spanish programming from CNN, ESPN, History Channel and NBC
Hulu with Live TV Availability
Hulu live TV is available across the country. However, local channel availability will vary by area. Local Fox, NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates are available but not all local sports stations may be available through Hulu with Live TV. If you are specifically looking to subscribe to Hulu’s live TV service to get all your local channels, it is important that you check to see that every local station that matters to you is available. You can do a search on Hulu’s website using your ZIP code to find which local stations will be included in your Hulu subscription.
Hulu and Your Internet
Hulu with Live TV can be an alternative to cable and satellite but don't forget, you're going to need an internet connection. If you plan on watching a lot of TV with Hulu, you're going to want to make sure you have an internet plan with high speeds and little to no data usage restrictions. WhistleOut's internet comparison tool can help you find the best internet plan for your needs.
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#1
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WOW!
Internet 300
$20/mo
with AutoPay
+ $10 Upfront
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#2
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Breezeline
Internet 100
$20/mo
for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount.
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#3
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Kinetic
100 Mbps
$24.99/mo
for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment.
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#4
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Optimum
300 Mbps Internet
$25/mo
with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
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#5
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Mercury Broadband
Mercury Foundation
$25/mo
with AutoPay
+ $45 Upfront
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#6
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Frontier
Fiber 500 Internet
$29.99/mo
with AutoPay
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#7
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Brightspeed
200 Mbps
$29.99/mo
Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change.
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#8
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Astound
300 Mbps Internet
$30/mo
Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
+ $14.99 Upfront
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#9
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Fidium
300M
$30/mo
With AutoPay. Available in select locations.
+ $199 Upfront
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#10
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Armstrong
Zoom Express
$34.95/mo
Available in select locations
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Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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