Updated October 12, 2023

Hulu Channels and Plans Explained

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

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

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.

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]

PlanPrice# of Screens
Hulu (Standard)$7.992 devices at once
Hulu (No Ads*)$17.992 devices at once
Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+$76.992 devices at once
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+$89.992 devices at once
Hulu + Live TV w/ Unlimited ScreensAdd $9.99Unlimited

*There are several shows that will still show ads even on the No Ads plans. These currently include: Grey's Anatomy, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and How to Get Away with Murder.

Compare Streaming Deals

Ready to stream great content at home and on the go? Choose from these popular deals and promotions to get started:

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.

Get the Bundle >>

Channels You Get with Hulu + Live TV

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

  • A&E
  • ABC
  • ABC News
  • ACC Network
  • Adult Swim
  • AMC (on-demand only)
  • Animal Planet
  • BET
  • BBC America (on-demand only)
  • Bloomberg Television (on-demand only)
  • Big Ten Network
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Bravo
  • Cartoon Network
  • CBS
  • CBS News
  • CBS Sports Network
  • Cheddar Business
  • CMT
  • CNBC
  • CNN
  • CNN International
  • Comedy Central
  • Complex
  • Comedy.TV
  • Cozi TV
  • CW
  • Dabl
  • Discovery Channel
  • Disney Channel
  • Disney Junior
  • Disney XD
  • E!
  • ESPN
  • ESPN College Extra
  • ESPN2
  • ESPNews
  • ESPNU
  • Food Network
  • Fox Business
  • Fox News
  • Freeform
  • FS1
  • FS2
  • FX
  • FXM
  • FXX
  • FYI
  • Golf Channel
  • The Grio
  • Hallmark
  • Hallmark Movies &. Mysteries
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • HLN
  • Hulu Original Series (on-demand only)
  • IFC (on-demand only)
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Justice Central TV
  • Lifetime
  • Lifetime Movies
  • Localish
  • Motor Trend
  • MSNBC
  • MTV
  • MyNetworkTV
  • NASA
  • Nat GEO Wild
  • National Geographic
  • NBCLX
  • NBC News NOW
  • News Nation
  • NFL Network
  • Nickelodeon
  • Oxygen
  • Paramount Network
  • Pop
  • pocket.watch (on-demand only)
  • QVC
  • SEC Network
  • Smithsonian Channel
  • Start TV
  • Syfy
  • Tastemade (on-demand only)
  • TBS
  • Turner Classic Movies
  • Telemundo
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • TruTV
  • TVLand
  • Universal Kids
  • USA
  • Vevo 80s
  • Vevo 90s
  • Vevo Country
  • Vevo Hip Hop
  • Vevo Holiday
  • Vevo Pop
  • VH1
  • Vice
  • Weather Channel

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

What's your favorite thing to watch on TV?

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:

CityChannels Offered
AtlantaABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Southeast, NBC, Telemundo, CW
AustinABC, Fox, Fox Sports, Southwest, NBC, Telemundo
BostonABC, CBS, WFXT, My38, NBC, NBC Sports Boston, NECN, Telemundo
CharlotteABC, CBS, Fox Sports Carolinas, Fox Sports Southeast, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
ChicagoABC, CBS Fox, My TV, NBC, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC CSN+, Telemundo
Dallas/Ft. WorthABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, NBC Southwest, NBC Southwest Plus, Star 21, My TV, Telemundo
DetroitABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Detroit Plus, NBC, Telemundo, CW
GainesvilleABC, Fox, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun, Telemundo
Hartford/New HavenABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, NBC Sports Boston, NECN, SNY, Telemundo, Yes
HoustonABC, KHOU11, Fox, Fox Sports Southwest, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
Los AngelesABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Prime Ticket, Fox Sports West, My TV, KCAL9, NBC, Telemundo
Miami/Ft. LauderdaleABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
Minneapolis/St. PaulABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports North Plus, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
New YorkABC, CBS, Fox, My TV, NBC, WLNY, SNY, Telemundo, Yes
Orlando/Daytona Beach/MelbourneABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
PhiladelphiaABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, Telemundo, CW
PhoenixABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Arizona Plus, My TV, NBC, Telemundo
San DiegoABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports West, NBC, Telemundo
SF/Oakland/San JoseABC, CBS, Fox, KTVU Plus, NBC, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, Telemundo, CW
Tampa/St. PetersburgABC, ABC Action News, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun, NBC, Telemundo, CW
Washington, D.C.WUSA 9, Fox, My TV, NBC, NBC Sports Washington, NBC Sports Washington Plus, Telemundo

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

If you're only interested in local channels, you can easily get by without paying for Hulu. Antennas have come a long way from the old rabbit-ears you had way back when. HD antennas, which are usually less than $30 online, can access local channels at no ongoing cost.

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.

Who will you share your Hulu account with?

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:

Premium Channel Add-OnPrice Per Month
MAX$15.99/month
SHOWTIME$10.99/month
STARZ$9.99/month
Cinemax$9.99/month

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

Some people like to test the waters before jumping into a paid plan. Learn more about free trials in our FAQ at the bottom.

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.

You'll need a high-speed internet connection for an enjoyable watching experience (even in you're watching on a smart TV app). Slower speeds affect video quality and may not be able to load the stream.) You can read more about this in our guide on how to cut the cord.

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:

*Note that live TV isn't available on PlayStation, although you can still watch Hulu's on-demand library. You'll have on-demand access to their premium networks too (if you bought the add-on), but not the live TV version).

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

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)

Hulu recommends internet speeds of at least 3 Mbps for 720p streaming, 6 Mbps for 1080p streaming, and 12 Mbps for 4K streaming.

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

  1. ^ Hulu Plans and Prices, Retrieved 10/12/2023
  2. ^ Hulu Hulu (With Ads) plan, Retrieved 2/24/23
  3. ^ Hulu Premium Add-ons, Retrieved 10/12/2023
  4. ^ Hulu Entertainment Add-on, Retrieved 2/24/23
  5. ^ Hulu Download TV shows and movies on Hulu, Retrieved 2/24/23

Write to Khairie A at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

Read Next:

What's your favorite thing to watch on TV?
32% News
38% Sports
6% Comedy
8% Reality
16% Drama
Source: CreditDonkey poll of 21,388 respondents
Who will you share your Hulu account with?
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