Hulu is one of the leading streaming services in the market, offering its subscribers a wide range of TV shows, movies, and live TV channels. With the rise of cord-cutting and demand for more flexible and affordable entertainment options, Hulu has become a popular choice for consumers.
One key feature that sets Hulu apart from other streaming services is its Live TV option. This allows subscribers to watch live television programming from over 95 channels, including news, sports, and entertainment networks.
In this comprehensive review, we will examine Hulu's Live TV plans and prices in more detail to help you determine whether it's worth your money.
Hulu Plans At a Glance
We can broadly categorize Hulu's plans into four tiers: two basic plans with and without plans and two that include live TV - again, with and without plans.
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Hulu Basic: This plan includes access to the entire library of on-demand TV shows and movies but with ads.
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Hulu (No Ads): Subscribers can enjoy all the content without any commercials.
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Hulu + Live TV: This is the most popular plan, offering around 95 live channels in addition to on-demand content. You can watch TV shows the day after their original air date, and you can record up to 50 hours of live TV with the included cloud DVR.
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Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV: This plan combines the benefits of no ads with live TV programming.
Hulu Plans Without Live TV
The two plans, Hulu and Hulu no Ads, are your basic options if you are not interested in live TV programming. You will pay almost twice as much for no ads on the basic plan, so if you don't mind ads, the basic plan is your best bet.
Besides, the no-ads option has the Download and Watch function unlocked, which means you can download titles to your supported device for on-the-go streaming.
All two plans allow you to:
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Stream TV episodes and movies - the wide selection of current and past shows is a significant advantage.
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Access award-winning Hulu originals
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Stream on TV, laptop, phone or tablet
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Connect up to 6 profiles in your household
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Stream on 2 different screens simultaneously
Hulu Plans with Live TV
Now, the juicy part. Hulu Live TV offers all the benefits of base plans, plus live TV programming + access to Disney Plus and ESPN+. Great? Yes, it is.
With Hulu Live TV, you can access 95 live channels and thousands of on-demand titles. The included cloud DVR allows you to record up to 50 hours. Besides, you will get access to original content from all three platforms: Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN+.
There are two plans for Hulu + Live TV:
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Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV: The same as above but with no ads for the on-demand content. Also, in the no-ads version you have the download and watch function for Hulu and Disney Plus.
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Hulu + Live TV: This version offers around 95 live channels in addition to on-demand content. You can watch TV shows the day after their original air date. However, this version may have some disruptions with ads while watching on-demand content.
Both plans, besides the ad difference, allow you to:
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Watch TV channels with no cable
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Enjoy a Live TV guide to navigate channels
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Record TV with unlimited DVR.
Is Hulu's Live TV Worth It?
Millions worldwide chase the content available on Hulu. It has top-notch TV channels like CBS, Fox, Comedy Central, and Disney-owned ABC. The genres available are vast—sports, entertainment, news, and more.
If you are looking for TV content without a cable box, Hulu Live TV will be perfect. You can access your favorite shows and channels just by logging in to your account without additional equipment or installation costs.
Hulu has most of the newer episodes of full seasons of popular shows like ABC's Grey's Anatomy, The Good Doctor, and Abbott Elementary. It always adds new episodes of your favorite shows the next day after their original air date. So, if you miss an episode or two, Hulu has your back.
For someone who loves watching TV and wants fresh entertainment content, Hulu Live TV is worth the investment. You can also personalize your plan by choosing add-ons like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, or STARZ.
Is Hulu's Ad-Free Version Worth the Extra Pay?
Since the price difference between Hulu's ad-supported and ad-free versions is not minor (even double in the basic category), it makes sense to question whether the ad-free version is truly worth the extra pay.
Here are a few things to consider before making your decision:
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Frequency of Advertisements: While Hulu's ad-supported version includes ads, they are less frequent than traditional TV. However, if you prefer uninterrupted viewing experience, then the ad-free version might be worth it for you.
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Length of Advertisements: Testing shows that Hulu ads vary between 15 and 90 seconds. If you find shorter ads tolerable, the ad-supported version might suit you. But if you can't stand longer ads disrupting your binge-watching session, the ad-free version is a better option.
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Content Availability: Some shows and movies on Hulu are only available on their ad-free version. If these exclusive titles are must-watch for you, then paying extra for the ad-free version makes sense.
Are There Any Add-ons to Hulu Plans?
If you want better service at extra cost, welcome! Hulu lets you personalize your viewing experience by offering add-ons like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
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You can add premium networks, such as Max, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz, to your Hulu plan and watch them along with Lu's content.
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The next upgrade is unlocking unlimited screens for everyone in the house. This way, everyone in the house has unlimited access to Hulu, and you can enjoy 3 screens on the go.
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You can also add more channels to your Hulu plans, including entertainment add-ons, Espanel add-ons, and sports add-ons.
So you can fully customize your Hulu experience by adding extra features to your plan as per your preferences. This allows for a more tailored and enjoyable entertainment experience with Hulu.
Hulu + Live TV plans are a great option for those looking to combine live TV and on-demand content. With its ad-supported and ad-free versions, viewers can choose the plan that best suits their preferences and budget. Additionally, Hulu offers various add-ons to enhance the streaming experience, making it a versatile platform for entertainment.
So, if you're tired of traditional cable or looking for more variety in your streaming options, consider trying Hulu + Live TV!