Cable TV is a sizable expense for many families. The average monthly cable bill is $200 per month. Live TV streaming services help people slash their bills without missing their favorite shows and live sports.
Hulu with Live TV is one of the top cable replacement options. However, recent price increases mean it may no longer be the value people want.
This review examines whether or not it’s a good subscription streaming service for you.
Table of Contents
What is Hulu Live?
Hulu with Live TV is one of the most popular cable alternatives on the market. The on-demand service launched as a joint business between ABC and Fox to offer their programming to a broader audience.
They added Hulu plus Live TV in 2017. By the end of 2022, the service boasted over 47 million subscribers.
For $76.99 per month, the provider offers access to dozens of channels and its entire on-demand library of television shows plus Disney+ and ESPN+.
Disney now owns the live streaming service. It’s one of the top YouTube TV competitors, a service it matches in a lot of areas.
Channel Lineup
Cost and channel offerings are often the two most important factors in choosing a streaming platform. The Hulu Live channels do not disappoint.
You get over 85 popular networks with live TV shows and Hulu live sports.
Here is the list of channels you get with the platform.
You’ll notice several things as you look at the Hulu Live TV channel list, including:
- Local networks and major news channels
- A full suite of sports offerings, including the ESPN family of channels, Fox Sports 1 and 2 (FS1 and FS2), BTN, NBC Golf, and more
- Dozens of lifestyle and entertainment networks
- If a channel isn’t available, you can likely find content in the on-demand area of the platform
YouTube TV has a few more channels, making it a worthy competitor despite being $3 more expensive.
How Much is Hulu Live?
A subscription to the video streaming service starts at $76.99 per month. This puts it on the higher end of the spectrum with alternatives like YouTube TV and fuboTV.
Both competitors offer more channels, while the latter stands out for sports.
*Related: Can’t decide if YouTube TV or Hulu Live is better? Read our review of YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live to see how the two services stack up.
This price gets you access to both live TV and the on-demand library offered by the service. That allows you to watch popular originals like The Handmaid’s Tale, Letterkenny, Kindred, Only Murders in the Building, The Dropout, and How I Met Your Father.
The streaming service offers ways to enhance your subscription, such as an ad-free version.
| Plan | Price/mo. |
|---|---|
| Hulu Live Basic *Includes Disney+ (with ads), Hulu (with ads) & ESPN+ (with ads) | $76.99 |
| Hulu Live Premium *includes Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (no ads), ESPN+ (with ads) | $89.99 |
| Hulu Live only *Includes live TV only | $68.99 |
If you’re a fan of ESPN+ or Disney+, you now get it in the Basic plan for no additional monthly charge.
The live streaming app isn’t the cheapest, but there are ways to save money. For example, you can switch between the two Hulu packages whenever you wish.
There is no contract, so you can make changes at any time.
Read our ESPN+ review to learn more about that platform.
Read our Disney+ review to learn more about that platform.
Add-Ons
Like any cable alternative, Hulu Live has add-ons you can purchase to further enhance your viewing experience. Here are the available add-ons.
Entertainment Add-on ($7.99 per month): American Heroes Channel, BET Her, CNBC World, Cooking Channel, Crime + Investigation, Destination America, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Great American Country Family, Military History Channel, NickToons, MTV2, MTV Classic, Science, and TeenNick.
Espanol Add-on ($4.99 per month): CNN en Espanol, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery Familia, ESPN Desportes, Fox Deportes, History Channel en Espanol, and NBC Universo.
Sports Add-on ($9.99 per month): NFL Red Zone, TVG, TVG2, MAVTV, Outdoor Channel, and Sportsman Channel. If you want to watch the NFL online, this add-on is a great choice to monitor your favorite team.
Max: $15.99 per month – you can also get an ad-supported option as a standalone service for $9.99 a month.
Cinemax: $9.99 per month
Showtime: $10.99 per month
Starz: $8.99 per month
Depending on what you add to your Hulu subscription, it’s easy to spend $100 or more per month. While still cheaper than cable, it does sacrifice a significant amount of your savings from cutting the cord.
Look and Feel
The user interface is an important part of any streaming platform. Hulu Live has made some strides in improving its platform over the years.
When you launch the platform, you see a simple home page with cover art for a show the service is promoting. This gives it a less busy look than before and makes it easier to navigate.
The top of the interface has four main tabs, including Home, Live TV, My Stuff, and Browse. If you want to access your DVR recordings and favorites, you simply click on My Stuff to get to it.
We’ve tested all of the major streaming services, and Hulu has a relatively user-friendly interface.
The Hulu TV guide was once the worst in the space. Fortunately, the provider gave it a significant upgrade a couple of years ago. It now has an easier, smoother feel.
The guide has show data for 14 days, allowing you to easily see what’s airing over the next two weeks. When you see a show or live sporting event you want to record, simply click the show to access the record feature.
If a user-friendly interface is important to you, Hulu Live is one of the best cable replacement options.
Features
The live TV streaming service space is growing increasingly crowded. Added features are where players attract more customers.
Here are a few of the features that set Hulu with Live TV apart from the competition.
Cloud DVR
Many people stay with cable or satellite because of the DVR capabilities. Hulu recently upgraded to an unlimited capacity cloud DVR.
This took effect on April 13, 2022 and does not include a price increase. The Hulu Live DVR previously only offered 50 hours of recording capacity.
If you wanted to upgrade to 200 total hours, that came with an added $9.99 fee. It also didn’t allow you to fast-forward through all commercials.
With the upgrade you can now fast-forward through commercials and recordings are kept for nine months. This puts the service on par with YouTube TV and Philo.
Read our review of Philo TV if you want to learn more about the discount provider.
The DVR offers a helpful categorizing feature. It separates recordings into five categories. These include TV Shows, Movies, Kids, Sports, and Teams.
Additionally, there’s no limit on simultaneous recordings and you can stream recordings on any compatible devices.
Simultaneous Streams
You can watch on two screens at once with Hulu Live. This puts them in the middle of the pack with other services as Sling Orange offers one and YouTube TV provides three.
Read our Sling TV vs. Hulu Live review to learn more about how the two services compare.
If two simultaneous streams aren’t sufficient, you can add the unlimited screens feature for $9.99 per month. This allows you to watch on unlimited screens at home or three screens when you’re on the go.
Playback
Video and audio quality is important for many cord-cutters. Hulu Live offers 4K video for original content and most movies.
Many TV stations broadcast content at 720p, while most on-demand movies hit 1080p. This is true whether you get content from the on-demand library or live broadcasts.
We have fairly fast internet at our house and have rarely been disappointed in playback.
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio are available with supported devices.
Users and Profiles
Creating multiple user profiles is important for many who cut the cord on cable. Hulu with Live TV lets subscribers have individual profiles for up to six users.
Profiles are customizable to your specific interests and preferences.
You can take it even further by allowing profiles to restrict viewing to specific content and block certain genres of programming.
Parental Controls
There are no specific parental controls, but you can use the profiles feature to create a similar approach. The aforementioned profile features are available.
They also allow you to limit searches to only return viewing choices that meet the requirements you set.
However, children can get into their parent’s account to find content.
Supported Devices
Like other platforms, it is possible to watch Hulu Live with most streaming devices. The cable alternative works with many major platforms, including:
- Amazon Fire TV or Stick (all models)
- Android devices (5.0 and later)
- AppleTV 4th and 5th generation (4K)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 10 and later)
- Chromecast devices
- Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari)
- Roku Streaming Stick (model 3600X and later)
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Vizio Smartcast TVs
- Xbox consoles
- Nvidia Shield
- Nintendo Switch
- Xiaomi Mi Box
If your device has a screen, it will likely work with the platform.
Pros and Cons
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a live streaming service. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at Hulu Live.
Pros:
- Lots of channels (seen by some as the best channel lineup in the space)
- Seamless interface
- Tons of original content
- Easy to use 14-day TV guide
- Reliable streaming
- Works with virtually any streaming device
- Some 4K content
- Can have up to six profiles per account
Cons:
- On the expensive end of the tier
- Can only watch on two screens unless you upgrade
- Add-ons can get pricey
There is a lot to like about the service. It’s certainly on the expensive end, but it competes well against other players at that price.
Is Hulu Live TV different from Hulu?
Yes, the two services are different. The live streaming option gives access to live shows plus the expansive library of on-demand content plus original shows.
If you don’t choose the live service, you only receive access to on-demand and original content.
The base price for the on-demand option is $7.99 a month and $76.99 for the live option. You can upgrade or downgrade whenever you want since there is no contract.
Hulu on-demand is one of the best alternatives to Netflix for your content needs if you don’t want live TV.
You can read our comparison of Hulu Live vs. Hulu to learn more about how they differ.
Is Hulu Live TV Worth it?
There is a lot to like about Hulu plus Live TV, especially with its unlimited DVR. The service is an excellent choice for live games, which is important to many cord-cutters.
Furthermore, it has dozens of well-known entertainment, lifestyle, and news networks.
The addition of Disney+ and ESPN+ to the plan make it even stronger when compared to YouTube TV, which is our top-rated service.
The channel packages are relatively similar. Hulu is missing AMC and Hallmark, while YouTube TV is missing A&E, History Channel, and Lifetime.
Aside from that the two are comparable.
How Hulu Live Compares Against the Competition
Hulu with Live TV is a true cable replacement. It offers a lot of excellent features, but if you find it doesn’t meet your needs, there are other options.
Here is how it measures against the other players.
| Service | Cost | Channels | Streams | DVR | Rating | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu Live | $76.99+ | 85+ | 2 | Unlimited | 4.1/5 | Try |
| fuboTV | $79.99+ | 180+ | 10 | 1,000 hrs. | 4.2/5 | Try |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $79.99+ | 65+ | 20 | Unlimited | 3.7/5 | Try |
| Philo | $25 | 70+ | 3 | Unlimited | 4.3/5 | Try |
| Sling TV | $40+ | 30-50+ | 1-4 | 50 hrs. | 4.2/5 | Try |
| Vidgo | $69.99+ | 110+ | 3 | N/A | 4/5 | Try |
| YouTube TV | $72.99+ | 100+ | 3 | Unlimited | 4.2/5 | Try |
Don’t forget to use free trials to find a cable alternative that works for you.
Hulu with Live TV Review
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Channel Lineup
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Price
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DVR Space
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Availability
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Ease of Use
Hulu Live Review
Get live TV and all your local channels plus award-winning original content for half the cost of cable, and no contract!
Overall
4.1Pros
✔️ Large channel selection
✔️ Lots of original content
✔️ Some 4K content
✔️ Intuitive interface
✔️ 14-day TV guide
Cons
❌ No free trial
❌ More expensive than others
❌ Base plan only includes two simultaneous streams
Bottom Line
Not many cable alternatives beat Hulu with Live TV if you want a solid streaming service with good functionality as well as a robust channel lineup that includes your favorite sports, news, lifestyle, and major network TV shows.
Yes, it is on the more expensive end of providers. However, it also has a lot of features you may not find elsewhere.
Hulu Live no longer offers a way to try the service for free. However, there are no contract or cancellation fees which allows you to keep it if you like it or cancel it if it doesn’t meet your needs.
How much do you pay for television content monthly?
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
Does Hulu work without a smart TV?
What if you have 3 TVs?
Good question Karen. It does work without a smart TV as you can stream it on a computer or smart phone. If your TV has a USB or HDMI port you can connect a laptop to it and watch that way. Hulu only allows you to stream on two devices at once.
I’m only able to get Hulu “live” on one TV, and I have the app on all 3 smart TV’s. How do you stream from the 2nd TV? I’ve already tried logging all the way out and back in and all I get is the regular Hulu. Can’t even figure out how to cancel.
Sorry to hear that Cheryl. Have you tried uninstalling it completely, then reinstalling it? That has worked when I’ve had a problem with the platform. Beyond that, I’m not certain. For a second TV, you need to have the app on that one as well.
I have Hulu live and I also have Netflix and Sling. When I am watching Hulu live I often get “connection error” and when I go into my network it says there is no known problems and I have to go into another streaming app in order for Hulu to open back up. This does not happen with Netflix or Sling so I know it’s not my Internet connection. Also it really doesn’t do it on Hulu if I’m not in “live” mode. Do you have any ideas because I am ready to drop Hulu?
Hmm, I’ve not heard of that Kathleen. Is it only happening when you’re in the non-live mode?
I’ve enjoyed HULU. Almost perfect. U found 2 problems that I find deal breakers. I couldn’t find a HULU package with OWN or TV One. Also, unlike any other service, every now and then a channel with display a Big Red Box with background music reading Commercial Break. Reluctantly, I had to find a package (actually a combination of packages)
Sorry to hear that James. The commercial break experience you’re mentioning is actually common across all streaming providers. They have their own way of doing it, but they all do something very similar. Personally, I’d rather that than to have to watch every commercial. 🙂
We are considering this as a cable free option for our family. So if I am in the bedroom.. husband in living room we can both watch at the same time? But if one of the kids is on IPAD they can’t watch? Can you upgrade the amount of devices you want to be able to use at one time? Thanks!
Good question Jamie! Yes, that’s correct on both counts. You can add the “Unlimited Screens” option for $14.99 per month. It allows unlimited devices, including three mobile devices.
So, if you do that unlimited screens option, would kids away at college be able to log in and watch while Mom and Dad are watching at home, too?
Yes, that is possible. The one thing to keep in mind though you can only watch on your home TV. They can only watch via a mobile device. You can also read our guide on how many people can use it at once to learn more.
I am looking into alternatives for cable. I dvr alot of network shows and have started using the on demand feature occasionally. With Hulu Live TV, will I NEED to record them? or are they available through the streaming? 50 hours is not alot with our family and I want to keep costs down by not adding more features.
Thanks!
That’s a good question Debbie. It depends on the show/network. Some are offered on demand, and some are not. My recommendation is to do a search on the platform for your favorite shows. If they’re available on demand, it’ll be listed. As you start to watch them they’ll be listed on the home page of the platform when new episodes come available.
Thank you for the information, I will do that!
Of course. Happy to help. 🙂
Thank you for the review!
I currently have the “no-commercial” HULU option. If I sign up for HULU with live TV, will the shows I watch not live, now have commercials?
Of course, happy to help. Good question. For the live content, it operates just like any other platform and you’d have commercials. On the on-demand stuff you watch now, under the Live platform, it stays the same. So, if it doesn’t have commercials now, it’ll stay that way.
Great review – thank you. With the Cloud DVR, can you record two or more shows at the same time?
Great question Frank! It lets you record two shows at once on their DVR. If you upgrade to the 200 hour option, you can record as many shows at once as you like.
Can my wife and I “share” Hulu LIve TV if she is in one state and I am in another?
Also, if we have two homes (say, MN and AZ), how does Hulu determine which local channels and which Regional Sports channeles we receive. (And is there a way for us to make that decision, if we prefer one location over the other?)
Good question Bill. Yes, you should have no problem sharing the two in your situation. They will actually both allow you to receive locals/sports channels based on where you’re at so you both should be good.
Say we are both in AZ but want to watch MN local news and/or MN Regional Sports channels, can we do that … or do we always get “local” channels based upon our current geographic location?
It’s based on your current location.
Do you offer a bundle pkg with alternate channels to add to the basic? For additional fee Sling had a package with Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies& Mysteries and Hallmark Drama.
Are there complaints of losing connection or error in streaming with Hulu? I can never watch a TV program or a movie without interruption and sometimes “lost internet connection” error – yet there was no internet issues on my end. I wouldn’t want to leave one streaming service for another if the same issues prevail.
You may not realize this Nanci, but we’re not Hulu. 🙂 That said, nope, all the channel package options are listed here in the post. You’ll want something like Sling TV if you want that kind of customization.
I have HughesNet, 5G and 2.4G, for my internet provider. I have a new Samsung Smart TV. I’m looking for an alternative to DirecTV and am interested in Hulu. I have streaming issues with watching live streaming on Hughesnet, very slow with many buffering interruptions. Will I have the same issue with streaming Hulu? I may have my iphone, ipad and computer all on at the same time on occasion.
They recommend at least 8 Mbps for internet speed to watch Hulu live without issues, and more if you’re on multiple devices. You may want to check with HughesNet to see what they’re providing you.
How long do you have to wait for the episode to air on Hulu Live? Example…is Real Housewives of New York airs on Tue nights, do I have to wait until Wed?
Great question! It’s the same wait time as standard, you have to wait 24 hours. However, you can also program their DVR to record all new episodes and you can watch that whenever you like.
I’m confused by the 24 hour wait time. Does this include football games if you get the live service?
Nope, it operates like cable. You only encounter the wait time if you go with the base level of Hulu.
Wow- thanks for this info. With Veronica Mars starting new again this month I was going to start a Hulu account anyway, but with all this now I know I can cancel my cable tv!
Of course. Happy to help. Enjoy those savings!
We have had DirecTV since the early 90s and are looking to change. First, we were looking at Dish but streaming Hulu Live sounds interesting. My question, we currently have 2 Directv receivers. Each receiver mirrors the broadcast to 4 additional tvs. 10 TVs total in different rooms….5 TVs display receiver one…. 5 TVs display the second receiver. The result is, we can watch different programs at the same time. His TV choice and her TV choice, if you will. Will we need two Hulu Live accounts in order to watch different channels at the same time?
Nope, you can stream on two devices at once. 🙂 You can add the unlimited screens add-on, which allows for five screens at once, for $14.99 per month.
Hey all this sounds great. I’m a cable subscriber and pay approximately $160.00 plus a month for a bundle.
For any of these new packages don’t you need wi-fi- in the home
Cheapest is Approximately $70.00
Bucks a month.
Little illiterate in these matters be gentle.
Yes, that is correct. You do still need internet service. Check out our guide on how to get internet without cable to learn what you need to do. 🙂
My TVs in MN are 2009 Samsung’s and I can stream through SONY DVD for Hulu and Netflix through one TV only. To switch to HULU live would I need a fire stick for each?
My TVs in AZ are smartTVs. No fire sticks needed?
Should I buy my own routers for each location?
Will one plan cover both locations?
I’ll just list answers in order below for sake of ease:
1. No, as long as you can access it on both. Having one on one TV could make it easier so you can stream through the DVR on the other
2. If your TV has the app already, or ability to install, no
3. No
4. Yes
Great information however I am a senior citizen and not really up-to-date on streaming. What equipment will I need to have to get Hulu Live and how difficult will it be for a slow learner to get the hang of using it.
You don’t need any equipment other than your TV. You might need a Fire TV Stick, but depends on your TV. It’s very easy to use. I’m not technical by any means and it’s easy to do.
About to cut the cord… Have 3TVs all with Roku we are paying for Amazon Prime currently, looking into finding THE cheaper option for local + so $44ish and we can watch our local Houston channels. We are with Xfinity for our cable and internet about to downgrade to only internet. So we should be under $100 a month.
Hulu Live is going to be your best option, especially to get locals. It’s the best replacement to cable in our opinion.
Does Hulu offer YES? I don’t see it on the list.
Nope, if it’s not listed then it’s not a channel it offers.
Hi There, just a little confused. Does Hulu have the Hallmark Channels? I also need OWN & TV One. I already have Hulu Plus with cable. trying to get rid of cable but need the above stations. Concerned about locals with Sling. Also need the Outdoor Channel. Your thoughts. Thanks
Nope, if it’s not listed then they’re not offered.
Hello, I think you answered this one before but I wanted to make sure. If I want to share Hulu Live with my sister who lives in another location can I do that? Can we both watch want we want on TV using one subscription of Hulu Live? And if we get the enhanced Cloud DVR, can we both use it separately but pay only one price? Thank you.
There’s no real way to do that. It only works via TV at your “home” location.