Hulu is packed to the brim with original content, movies, and TV shows, making it an appealing choice for cable cutters. The platform became even more enticing with the addition of Live TV, which debuted in 2017. In our Hulu Live TV Channel Guide, we’re going to break down what the company has to offer so you can decide how they stack up against comparable offerings.
Hulu Live TV Channel Guide
The first thing you need to know about Hulu + Live TV is that it’s ad-supported, just like traditional cable. While you can upgrade to Hulu without ads, you’ll still see them during Live TV programming.
It’s also important to note that the channels available in your area can vary, although some remain the same across the board. If there’s a particular channel or network you’re interested in, check to see if it’s available in your area by using the company’s on-site zip code tool.
Hulu Live TV Local Channels and News
One of the biggest drawbacks to cutting your connection to a local cable company is losing local channels. That won’t be an issue with Hulu in most areas.
They support the big four networks in the United States, namely ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. We checked a variety of zip codes, and those networks were always available along with their respective news channels.
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Telemundo was another common channel, along with CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and Bloomberg. Both Fox and CNN have sister channels, and you’ll find stations from Cheddar, News Nation, HLN, and MSNBC as well. From the national weather to your local news, Hulu has a solid selection.
Entertainment Channels
Under the Lifestyle & Entertainment section, you’ll get access to more than 30 channels. This is where you’ll find popular national options, including TNT, SyFy, USA, Lifetime, Hallmark, and HGTV. They have something for everyone.
You can enjoy nature and wildlife through the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet, while foodies will appreciate the Food Network.
Music and pop culture are available through, CMT, BET, MTV, VH1, and Vevo channels. The CW, QVC, Oxygen, TLC, and Comedy Network were also available throughout the regions we checked.
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Want to learn about ancient Egypt? That’s an option thanks to the History Channel, but you can also dig into true crime mysteries through stations like ID, True TV, and Vice.
Kids can enjoy content from Cartoon Network, Disney Junior, and Nickelodeon as well. As with a traditional cable package, the entertainment channels are where you can find an assortment of movies broadcast on popular networks.
Two of the more popular channels often included in premium cable packages are free with Hulu Live TV. The Hallmark Channel and FXM provide content on opposite ends of the spectrum, and you can catch up on the classics through TCM.
Hulu Live TV Sports Channels
The last collection of channels we want to touch on involves sports. It’s also an area where Hulu Live TV excels because of its parent company. That means ESPN is included, along with spin-off channels like ESPN 2, ESPN News, and ESPN U.
West and East Coast consumers can enjoy games on the SEC Network or the B1G Network. CBS Sports is also present, along with Fox Sports 1 and 2. While there’s nothing in the early 2023 Hulu Live TV guide for soccer fans yet, football is well represented through the NFL Network and ESPN College Extra.
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This is an area where sports fans may want to consider add-on channels. The selection isn’t the largest, but they do have NFL RedZone, a few channels from FanDuel, and stations for the outdoorsman. If you’re interested in premium cable channel add-ons, Hulu has several of those as well.
Hulu Live TV Channel Add-Ons
Hulu’s Live TV add-on channels are broken down into two categories with premium movie channels and entertainment stations. The former is a small, but popular collection of channels everyone should be familiar with — HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz.
Their selection of entertainment channel add-ons is more varied, but a mixed bag depending on your interests. They include stations like AHC, CNBC World, Cooking Channel, Discovery Family, Great American Family, Hallmark Drama, Magnolia, and Nicktoons.
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Hulu Live TV Features
With some of the features they offer, Hulu is no different than other services, like YouTube TV and AT&T. You can record live TV, use the Hulu Live TV Guide, set up personalized profiles, and stream media across multiple devices. Hulu also provides unlimited DVR, but you can only watch the service on two screens at a time through their base plan.
The biggest feature Hulu Live TV has to offer are the two channels included with the service itself. You get ESPN+ for free and Disney Plus for as long as you subscribe to Hulu Live TV.
This triples the amount of content available and provides more entertainment for both children and adults. Hulu Live TV is available across a number of devices and platforms, from smart TVs and the Fire Stick to consoles and smartphones.
Hulu Live TV Pricing
The company made pricing simple for consumers interested in Hulu + Live TV. There are “no strings attached” with their service. That means you can cancel at any time and there are no hidden fees to deal with.
The base ad-supported package with Hulu Live TV is $69.99 per month. Alternatively, you can remove ads on Hulu and Disney+ for $82.99.
Add-ons can raise the price considerably, depending on the channels or packages you choose. The sports package with FanDual and NFL RedZone is $9.99 a month, while the entertainment add-on provides more bang for your buck at $7.99 for around 18 channels.
If you want to watch Hulu Live TV on unlimited screens, that will cost you an extra $9.99 per month. HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz are also priced separately through Hulu. HBO Max is $14.99 and Showtime is $10.99, while Cinemax and Starz are generally $1-2 cheaper.
The Wrap-Up
Hulu Live TV provides consumers with more than 80 channels for $70 a month, which is an excellent deal for some. Getting Disney+, regular Hulu and ESPN+ is a bonus, and we love the fact there are no contracts involved.
The price may not be quite as nice once you factor in the cost of high-speed internet, however. That’s something you can often get bundled at a discount with cable packages in many areas. If you want to see how Hulu’s live TV service compares against a popular new competitor, check out our FuboTV vs. Hulu review.
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