The Hulu channels list is one of the best available. While it costs $64.99, it combines live programming from popular networks like ESPN and HGTV with a vast library of on-demand content.
Table of Contents
What Channels are on Hulu?
There are a lot of popular networks on Hulu. Here are the channels you can expect to receive with a subscription.
Sports fans will love the fact that all of the ESPN channels as well as Fox Sports are included. That makes Hulu Live one of the best ways to watch sports without cable.
Are Local Channels Included?
Yes, local networks are included in a monthly subscription. Unlike other cable alternatives, Hulu Live comes with them.
This includes all live local, regional, and national channels available in your area.
A subscription avoids the need for an antenna (like the Mohu Leaf that we use) to get local channels.
What About Add-on Channels?
If you want premium channels or additional channels beyond the 80+ channels included, you can add them on for an extra cost.
Premium channel add-ons include the following packages:
- HBO Max – $14.99 per month
- Cinemax – $9.99 per month
- SHOWTIME – $10.99 per month
- STARZ – $8.99 per month
In addition to premium channels, you can supplement your Hulu channels list experience with two different packages for an extra cost:
- Entertainment Package – $7.99 per month, which includes: American Heroes, CNBC World, Cooking Channel, Destination America, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, DIY Network, FYI, LMN, Science, BET Her, MTV 2, MTV Classic, NickToons, and TeenNick.
- Español Package – $4.99 per month, which includes: CNN en Español, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, ESPN Deportes, History Channel en Español and Universo.
What About the Disney+ Bundle?
If you’re a Disney fan, you can bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ for an extra $8 a month. Doing so would bring a live subscription to a total of $72.99 per month.
Read our Disney+ app review to learn how the service works.
Read our review of ESPN+ to learn how that service works.
What Shows are on Hulu?
Part of the reason Hulu Live is able to offer so many popular channels is because the major TV networks started the streaming giant.
*Related: Do you want to cut the cord on cable, but not sure which streaming platform to choose? Try our free quiz to see which service will best fit your needs.*
This makes it easy for Hulu Plus to offer live and on-demand access to a number of the most popular shows.
Some of the most binge worthy shows include:
- Atlanta, This is Us, The Handmaid’s Tale, Harlots, Castle Rock
- American Horror Story, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community
- Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Arrested Development
- Seinfeld, Black-ish, Superstore, Vikings, Preacher, Schitt’s Creek
- Star Trek (the original series and the Next Generation)
If you don’t see your favorite show listed, chances are good that it is included in the Hulu TV shows list.
How Much is Hulu Live TV?
It currently costs $64.99 per month, and you can use the 7-day free trial to see if you like the service.
Learn more about the different plans offered, which devices you can stream Hulu Plus on, and all the details about this streaming service in our review of the service here.
How Do Hulu Live TV Channels Compare to Competitors?
You want to look at the full channel lineup before you decide on a live streaming service. Here is what to compare when looking at multiple services.
Sports Channels
Hulu is a worthy choice for sports fans. You receive the full suite of ESPN networks, plus Fox Sports 1 and 2. The base plan also includes the CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports, and BTN.
You will notice it’s missing the MLB, NBA, and NFL Networks. YouTube TV offers all three, making it a better choice.
Entertainment Channels
Hulu Live offers a lot of popular entertainment networks. They offer channels like A&E, the Discovery Channel and HGTV, plus dozens of other choices.
Unfortunately, it does not offer AMC. Philo is a top alternative that carries all of them, for only $25 a month.
Additionally, the recent addition of Viacom networks left out BET Her, MTV 2, MTV Classic, NickToons, and TeenNick.
You must purchase the Entertainment add-on to watch those channels.
News Networks
Hulu shines with its news options. You can get CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC on the platform. They also offer channels like CNBC and Fox Business.
This compares well against fuboTV or YouTube TV.
Kids Networks
Hulu offers a solid number of kids channels. With networks like the Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Nick Jr., there is plenty of entertainment available for your family.
Unfortunately, several of the popular Viacom channels aren’t available in the base package. If you want those, fuboTV and YouTube TV are better choices.
Read our guide on YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live to see how the two cable replacements compare.
How it Stacks Up
The Hulu Live channel package is a worthy competitor against other live video streaming services.
Here’s how the platform compares against the others on other specifications.
| Service | Cost | Channels | Streams | DVR | Rating | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fuboTV | $64.99 | 110+ | 3 | 250 hrs. | 4.2/5 | Try |
| Hulu Live | $64.99+ | 80+ | 2 | 50 hrs. | 4.1/5 | Try |
| Philo | $25 | 60+ | 3 | Unlimited | 4.3/5 | Try |
| Sling TV | $35+ | 30-50 | 1-4 | 50 hrs. | 4.1/5 | Try |
| Vidgo | $55+ | 95+ | 3 | N/A | 4/5 | Try |
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | 85+ | 3 | Unlimited | 4.2/5 | Try |
Other Questions Viewers Ask
Choosing a live TV streaming service that fits your needs is important. Here are some common questions cord-cutters ask when considering Hulu + Live TV.
Does Hulu Live have a DVR?
Along with “what channels do you get with Hulu?” whether or not it comes with a DVR is one of the most asked questions we receive about the streaming provider.
It has one of the largest streaming libraries on the market. It makes sense that you’d want a DVR to help you watch it all.
The base package includes:
- 50 hours of cloud DVR storage
- The ability to watch content on two screens at a time
- Ability to watch live TV on your favorite device (iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Samsung Smart TVs, LG smart TVs, Nintendo Switch)
If you want more recording capacity, you can upgrade to the enhanced cloud DVR option, which includes 200 hours. It costs $9.99 per month. Other benefits include:
- Fast-forward through commercials
- No limit on simultaneous recordings
- Ability to stream your recordings anywhere, on supported devices
If you record a lot of content, you may find this add-on worth the cost.
How many TVs can you stream at once?
Another add-on your household may appreciate is the unlimited screens feature.
With so many Hulu Live TV channels to enjoy, your family may want to watch three or more different shows at once, all on various devices.
If that’s the case, you may want to upgrade beyond the two screens at once option, which is included in the base subscription.
Adding unlimited screens will cost you $9.99 per month. That may be too expensive for you, but if your family is constantly fighting over the remote, you may find it worth the cost.
If you want the enhanced DVR and unlimited screens, add both for $14.99 per month.
What are the available plans?
There are three plans:
Hulu ($6.99 per month): This plan contains ads, with no live TV. This is the cheapest option. You must wait 24 hours after air date to watch any network shows.
Hulu (no ads) ($12.99 month): This plan is an upgrade in that you benefit from no ads on most shows. You must still wait 24 hours to watch network shows.
Hulu + Live TV ($64.99 per month): This plan operates like cable, offering you everything offered in the Hulu channel lineup above. There is no delay on content as it includes live TV.
This is the best of the packages if you want a total replacement to cable.
Hulu + Live TV (no ads) ($70.99 per month): This plan includes all 65+ channels of live TV and the entire on-demand library. There are virtually no ads in on-demand content.
Every plan includes access to all Hulu original content. You can switch between plans at any time with no fees.
Can I watch on two devices at the same time?
Yes and no. When you create an account you set your home location. That is the only location you can watch on a TV.
You can watch on mobile devices in different locations, but you’re unable to watch on a TV in two separate locations.
With a Live subscription you can watch on two devices at once, but that does not apply to on-demand content.
Summary
Having tried the service ourselves many times, we can say from firsthand experience that it’s the most expansive and offers the closest experience to cable on the market.
*Related: Want to cut the cord but don’t know which platform to pick? Check out our Hulu or Netflix guide to see which platform is best.*
One of the best features is the amount of on-demand content you get with a subscription. Not only can you watch first run episodes of your favorite shows when they air, you can catch up on all the past episodes easily.
As is the case with all the popular streaming services, Hulu Live offers a 7-day free trial.
What other questions do you have about the available channels? What channel(s) have you had a hard time finding access to on streaming services? Is cable worth the $110 average price tag?
