What Is Hulu Live TV? Cost, Channels, Devices & How It Works

The streaming quality is solid across all apps. I watched on both a 55-inch 4K TV using the Xbox One Hulu app, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, Chromecast, Roku streaming stick, Roku TVs built in-app, Apple TV, and on an iPhone SE. In each case, live TV looked good. When streaming live, channels vary between 720p and 1080p. When we originally reviewed the Hulu with Live TV service, it occasionally struggled with picture quality. However, since its launch, the picture has improved dramatically. Unless you’ve got a weak connection, you’d never notice a difference from broadcast HD.

DVR and multiple screens

An Enhanced Cloud DVR option is available for an extra $9.99 a month, giving you 200 hours of Cloud DVR recording and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on your recordings.

The service also offers a $9.99 a month “unlimited screens” add-on that lets an unlimited number of people stream over a wi-fi connection or up to three people to stream at once on mobile.

You can combine those two features—Enhanced Cloud DVR and Unlimited Screens—for just $20 a month.

Hulu vs. The Competition

Hulu Live TV vs. Sling TV

Choosing between the Live TV version of Hulu and Sling TV is a difficult proposition that mostly depends on your needs. Hulu costs $54.99 a month. That’s significantly more than the $30 you’d pay for Sling Blue or Sling Orange, and $45 per month more than Sling Orange + Blue. There are advantages to both services, but Sling TV has roughly the same channel package with minor exceptions. The biggest advantage Hulu Live TV has over Sling TV is access to the Hulu streaming service. However, since that can be had for $5.99 per month, Sling TV is currently a better deal. You could subscribe to Sling TV and Hulu streaming for less than the cost of Hulu Live TV. 

However, Sling TV’s interface is significantly worse. For the average user, Hulu is easier to understand and simply better to use. If the user experience is worth paying for, it wins out. If you’re living on a budget, you may want to consider Sling. 

Hulu Live TV vs. FuboTV

When it comes to basic cable, the channels for both services are comparable, and neither one has access to Viacom. After a recent price hike, FuboTV now costs $59.99-$84.99 per month. That actually tips the scale Hulu’s direction without even factoring in the Hulu library.

What FuboTV has that Hulu doesn’t have, outside of sports, is extra channels. The baseline Fubo package gives you more channels, and even though you’ll pay more than $20 extra for Fubo at its highest tier, it gives you nearly 200 channels. FuboTV has over 130+ sporting events per year in 4K HD as an added bonus. FuboTV users also get 500 hours of free cloud DVR storage. 

If you’re a soccer fan, FuboTV is decidedly your best option. The sports streaming service offers more soccer-related channels than any other streaming service on the market, making it easy to follow games from around the world. It’s also one of the better ways to watch NFL RedZone online, which is available as part of a 15-channel Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month.

While FuboTV has more channels, it’s missing some big names that might be a deal-breaker for families. You don’t get Cartoon Network, Disney, or TNT, for example. Due to the vast number of options that come with the added bonus of Hulu streaming as part of Hulu Live TV, we give Hulu Live TV an edge over FuboTV. (Unless, of course, you’re a soccer fan.)

Hulu Live TV vs. AT&T TV Now

Once upon a time, DirecTV Now was Hulu with Live TV’s greatest competition. DirecTV has since morphed into AT&T TV Now, and its subscribers have experienced increased costs, changes to the app, and fewer options. AT&T TV Now’s cheapest package now starts at $60 per month for 45+ channels. While this includes HBO, it’s still $10 per month more than Hulu Live TV for 15+ fewer channels. Hulu Live TV is the clear current winner over AT&T TV Now.

Hulu Live TV vs. YouTube TV

If cost is a concern, YouTube TV has just become a little pricier than Hulu’s Live TV option: $64.99 a month vs. $54.99 or $60.99. Both have notable features. For example, YouTube TV allows you to create up to six accounts, all of which come with unlimited DVR and the ability to fast-forward through ads, so long as you’re all using the same address. But if we had to choose, Hulu Live TV is still the better option. That’s because, while you are getting roughly the same number of channels, a Hulu subscription comes with access to Hulu’s full library, local channels, at a slightly better price.

Is Hulu and Hulu Live TV worth it?

Hulu’s live TV package is a delightful melding of live broadcasting and a traditional streaming experience, but it’s far from perfect. Learning its menu system can take a little bit of time, especially if you’ve just recently made the switch from cable to streaming. However, if you’ve been using Hulu as your primary viewing option for a while, the user experience is quick to pick up.

If you can afford $54.99 a month and don’t mind learning a new system, Hulu with Live TV is the best option on the market for streaming live TV. Hulu has the most channels, great on-demand options, and comes with a standard Hulu subscription. Each service has its charms, but at the moment, Hulu with Live TV is the killer app.

How to sign up for Hulu and Hulu Live TV

Don’t stress if you’re new to cord-cutting. Becoming part of Team Hulu, whether you want just the Hulu library access or the full Live TV package, is a breeze. Here’s what you need to do. 

1. Go to Hulu’s website.
2. Select the “Start Your Free Trial” banner. 
3. Now it’s time to select your plan. Hulu offers new subscribers a free trial, but the length of your free period depends on what service you’re trying. The standard Hulu streaming service offers users one full free month to try out the service before being charged. Hulu Live TV, on the other hand, only comes with a seven-day free trial before you start getting charged. Select the plan that’s right for you, from Hulu to Hulu Live TV (No Ads). 
4. Enter your email, billing address, and select a password. We highly suggest making a unique password for your Hulu account, especially if you plan on having multiple users. Different members of your household can have their own unique Hulu profiles. This allows parents to set content restrictions for their kids, and also lets each person have an individualized viewing list. However, this also creates a security issue when users log in on their own devices. You don’t want a child (or worse, a roommate) having your bank password, so make sure your Hulu logins aren’t also used for something important. It’s just smarter that way. 
5. Choose your designed payment method. You will not be charged by Hulu until the end of your trial period. 
6. Start watching your favorite shows.

Hulu Live TV	$54.99
Hulu Live TV (no ads on Hulu content)	$60.99