Hulu Channels and Plans Explained

What channels come with your Hulu plan? And is it worth it? Learn the full lineup, price, and how to watch your favorite shows.

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In this article, find out which channels are (and aren't) included in Hulu and Hulu Live TV. Plus, find out if you can still record your favorite shows.

• Hulu Standard Plan
  
• Hulu + Live TV Channels
  
• Hulu + Live TV Features
  
• Can You Add Channels?
  
• Does Hulu + Live TV Have Ads?
  
• How to Watch Hulu on TV
  
• Will It Work on Your Device?
  
• Offline Downloads: Watch on the Go
  
• Hulu Video and Sound Quality
  
• FAQs

Tip: Streaming services can get expensive, especially if you have a family. By bundling your subscriptions, you can save money and watch your favorite shows and movies.

With a single subscription, you can access exclusive movies and TV shows from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar Animation Studios, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. Plus, get ESPN+ for live sports events and Hulu for on-demand TV shows and movies.

Hulu Plans and Prices

Hulu offers 4 main streaming plans. You can also buy add-ons for extras like Sports and unlimited screens. Take a look at each plan and the monthly price:^[1]

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Hulu Standard Plan

Hulu's $7.99 starter plan offers full, on-demand access to the entire Hulu catalogue with limited ads.^[2]

Here's what else you'll get:

• Ability to stream on 2 devices at the same time
  
• TV and movie classics
  
• All of Hulu's original programming (The Handmaid's Tale, The Act and more).
  
• Episodes of current network and basic cable shows 1 day after they air
  
• FX on Hulu, which includes past and current FX-exclusive shows 1 day after they air
  
• Ability to add premium channels for an added fee (HBO, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, and STARZ)

If you'd rather watch your favorite shows live, don't miss Hulu's Live TV options below.

How to Save on Streaming Services

Streaming is cheaper when you bundle. Get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ all for just $14.99/month when you sign up below.

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Channels You Get with Hulu + Live TV

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Hulu has 85+ live and on-demand channels. Here are the cable channels it has on its live TV service:

You can also include extra networks as add-ons—we'll discuss them below.

Hulu + Live TV Local Channels

Hulu also offers live local CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox channels. However, what's available depends on the deals they have with local affiliates.

Here's a list of local channels for each market:

You can also check what's available at your location by entering your zip code on Hulu's website.

What Features Come with Hulu + Live TV?

Hulu + Live TV offers these features with their basic package:

Cloud DVR
The basic package comes with Unlimited DVR storage.

Multiple Screens
You can watch Hulu + Live TV on 2 screens at once. However, you can only stream the service on your mobile phone if you're outside your home network. You can't use streaming devices like the Roku or Fire TV when you're away.

On-Demand
Hulu + Live TV also gives you access to their on-demand library. It has plenty of on-demand TV shows and video, including original Hulu series like Marvel's Runaways and The Handmaid's Tale.

Even with these features, there won't be much to watch unless you get good channels. Find out below if you can get your favorites.

Can You Add Channels?

You can add extra channels with their add-ons. Here's what they have:^[3]

Available with any Hulu plan:

Available with Live TV plans only ($7.99 total for all channels):^[4]

• American Heroes Channel
  
• BET Her
  
• CNBC World
  
• Cooking Channel
  
• Crime + Investigation
  
• Destination America
  
• Discovery Family
  
• Discovery Life
  
• Hallmark Drama
  
• Great American Family
  
• Military History Channel
  
• MTV2
  
• MTV Classic
  
• Nick Toon
  
• Science
  
• Teen Nick

Nothing gets in the way of your TV time like ads. See what you can do to stop wasting time and skip through them.

Does Hulu + Live TV have Ads?

Just like broadcast TV, Hulu's live TV service has ads. With the Enhanced Cloud DVR upgrade, you can record your programs and skip ads during replay. Other than that, there's no way to avoid them.

For on-demand services, it'll depend on the version of Hulu you picked. If you chose regular Hulu (with ads) + Live TV, then you'll still get ads.

You'll have to choose the Hulu (No Ads) version + Live TV to get rid of it.

However, bear in mind that even with the no ads Hulu, you'll still get ads with a few shows. Hulu says that these shows have ads due to its streaming rights:

• Grey's Anatomy
  
• Once Upon a Time
  
• Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
  
• Scandal
  
• New Girl
  
• How to Get Away with Murder

How to Watch Hulu on TV

If you don't have a Hulu account:

1. Visit the Hulu website and click "Sign Up For Your Free Trial".
   
2. Choose your preferred plan and enter your payment details. (You won't be charged until your free trial has ended).
   
3. Add premium add-ons if desired.
   
4. Complete your account sign-up and begin watching.

If you do have a Hulu account:

1. Download and open the Hulu app on your streaming device
   
2. If watching on a computer, visit the Hulu website.
   
3. For either method, log in if needed. (You'll usually need to log in if you just signed up)
   
4. Begin watching.

Will It Work On My Device?

To watch Hulu, you'll need a streaming device like Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Google Chromecast.

Hulu's latest app (including live TV) will also work on these devices:

• Android phones and tablets
  
• Apple TV (4th generation or later)
  
• Chromecast
  
• Echo Show
  
• Fire Tablets
  
• Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  
• iPhones and iPads
  
• LG TV (select models)
  
• Nintendo Switch
  
• Mac and PC browsers
  
• PlayStation 4*
  
• PlayStation 5*
  
• Roku and Roku Stick (select models)
  
• Samsung TV (select models)
  
• Windows 10
  
• Xbox Series X|S
  
• Xbox One

The classic Hulu app, which only has an on-demand library, will work on these devices:

• Android TV
  
• LG TVs (select models)
  
• Roku and Roku Stick (select models)
  
• Samsung TVs (select models)
  
• VIZIO TVs

Offline Downloads: How to Stop Wasting Data

Don't want to use up all your data while streaming on the go? You can download shows and movies onto your iPhone, iPad, Android device, or Amazon Fire tablet. To download, you'll need a Hulu (No Ads) subscription.

You can download any episode or movie that has a Download icon in the Details page. There are some limits:^[5]

• Up to 25 downloads across five devices at once
  
• 30 days to access unwatched downloads
  
• 48 hours to finish content you've started watching

If you didn't get to your downloads before they expired, you can always download them again from the Details page.

Overall, it's a really convenient way to take your favorite shows with you. You'll never be bored on a long trip again.

Hulu Video and Sound Quality

Hulu Live TV offers HD streaming. Your video quality depends on your device, internet speed, and the show's available resolution. Take a look at Hulu's list of compatible streaming devices:

720p at 60fps

• Android TV (select models)
  
• Android phones and tablets (select models)
  
• Apple TV
  
• Chrome browser (supported versions)
  
• Chromecast
  
• Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  
• Fire Tablet (4th generation or later)
  
• iPhone and iPad
  
• LG TV (WebOS 3.0 and above)
  
• Nintendo Switch
  
• PlayStation 4
  
• Roku (supported versions)
  
• Samsung TV (select models)
  
• Vizio SmartCast TVs

1080p at 60fps

• Apple TV (4th generation or later)
  
• Chromecast
  
• Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  
• Playstation 4
  
• Samsung TV (select models)
  
• Xbox One

4K Ultra HD is available for their on-demand library only, not for live TV. Here are the devices you can use to watch 4K programming:

• Apple TV (5th generation or later)
  
• Chromecast Ultra
  
• Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  
• LG TVs (2017 UHD models or later)
  
• Roku and Roku Stick (3810X, 3920X, 4400X and 46*0X models) and Roku Smart Soundbar
  
• Vizio SmartCast TVs
  
• Xbox One (S and X models)

As for sound quality, Live TV and on-demand streaming is available in 2.0 stereo quality. Although 5.1 surround sound is available for some on-demand titles, this isn't available for Live TV. Here are the devices compatible with 5.1 surround sound:

• Android TV (select models)
  
• Chromecast*
  
• Fire TV (3rd generation and Cube) and Fire TV Stick 4K
  
• LG TV (WebOS 3.0 and above)
  
• Mac Safari
  
• Microsoft Edge
  
• Nintendo Switch
  
• PlayStation 3
  
• PlayStation 4
  
• Roku and Roku Stick
  
• Samsung TV (select models)
  
• VIZIO SmartCast TVs
  
• Xbox One
  
• Xfinity X1 TV Boxes

What Experts Say

CreditDonkey assembled a panel of industry experts to answer readers' most pressing questions:

• What does having so many streaming options easily accessible mean for consumers?
  
• Do you think streaming services will eventually make cable TV completely obsolete?
  
• What does the future look like for streaming services?

Here's what they said:

Hulu FAQs

Is Hulu free with Amazon Prime?
Hulu does not come free with Amazon Prime. Hulu starts at $7.99 per month, while Amazon Prime $14.99 per month ($139 per year).

If you want the perk of multiple streaming services, consider bundling your Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ together for $14.99 per month. Otherwise, you'll have to pay for Hulu and Amazon Prime separately.

How long is the Hulu free trial?
Currently, you can get a 30-day free trial of Hulu's standard plan ($7.99/month) and their ad-free plan ($17.99/month).

How many devices can you stream Hulu on?
With any Hulu plan (ads and ad-free) you can stream your Hulu account on 2 devices at the same time. If you have Hulu Live TV, you can get the Unlimited Screens add-on for an extra $9.99 per month.

This allows for unlimited devices on your home network to access Hulu and up to 3 separate mobile devices if you're on the go.

What's the difference between Hulu and Hulu Plus?
Years ago, Hulu offered free, ad-supported streaming content. Then, they decided to offer a bigger library of content for a price, referred to as "Hulu Plus". They've since abandoned that name and now offer Hulu (standard), Hulu (No Ads), and Hulu Live TV.

Does Hulu + Live TV Include DVR?
Hulu + Live TV subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage at no additional cost. But you can't skip through ads on recorded shows. You can playback and fast-forward your recordings for up to 9 months.

Does Hulu + Live TV have PBS?
PBS is one of the few channels not on streaming services. You won't find PBS on any of the other streaming services like Sling TV for that matter. But it might change in the future.

How do I get Hulu for free?
The only way to score Hulu for free is with one of their free trials. You can get a 30-day free trial of Hulu's standard plan and No-Ad plan.

After the free trial ends, your account will be charged and your billing cycle will begin.

How do you cancel Hulu?
To cancel Hulu, go to your Account on a computer or mobile device. Click Cancel under the Your Subscriptions section. If you pay for Hulu through Spotify or Xfinity, you'll find a link that sends you to that account where you can manage your subscription.

You can cancel any time or renew your subscription at any time. If you cancel, you'll still be able to watch Hulu until your billing period ends.

Bottom Line

Hulu + Live TV offers the cable and local channels you'd want, without the typical high-cost plan.

Keep in mind that their Live TV plans only work with certain devices. Plus, the standard DVR doesn't let you skip through ads.

But if you want a simple package at a reasonable price, Hulu + Live TV is a good choice. Just be sure that it will work with your device and includes the channels you want.

References