When you think of Hulu, you probably think of The Handmaid’s Tale or maybe Palm Springs, if you’re into romantic quantum time-travel comedies.
Beyond original dystopian dramas, thinky comedies, and next-day broadcast and cable series delivery, Hulu has also taken a swing at livestreaming TV with its imaginatively titled Hulu + Live TV. Despite the name, the crew here at CableTV.com likes it so much we’ve named it our best value streamer.
Hulu Live channels and pricing
For $64.99 a month, in addition to the regular on-demand Hulu experience, Hulu + Live TV gives you over 60 live cable channels and, depending on your area, a near-complete local network lineup. The CW is mostly MIA, but its shows are available through Hulu’s on-demand library (also check out The CW’s app—it’s totally free).
That all sounds good until you scan the cable channels and notice favorites like Comedy Central, VH1, AMC, Animal Planet, Discovery, and Nickelodeon are nowhere to be found. Several other streaming services lack these channels, too—we recommend making up the difference with Philo, which carries them all for just $20 a month.
Sports fans, on the other hand, are treated to ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBC Sports Network, plus TBS and TNT.
Hulu + Live TV also offers a generous number of regional sports networks and a handful of college sports channels. However, MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL pro sports networks are missing.
Downsides of Hulu Live
Hulu + Live TV’s cloud DVR affords you 50 hours of space—but you can record only entire series, not single episodes, and you can’t fast-forward (unless you pony up an additional $14.99 a month for the Enhanced Cloud DVR).
Still, we think Hulu + Live TV provides the best livestreaming TV value for the price. Access to all of that cool Hulu content (including the FX originals library, which is like a premium add-on in and of itself) seals the deal.
Hulu Live compatible devices
Hulu + Live TV is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles.
CutCableGuy.com
