Skip to main content

Hulu officially launches $40-per-month live TV streaming option with 50+ channels

After months of rumors, a steady addition of licensed content from major networks ABC, Fox, CBS and — as of yesterday — NBCUniversal, on-demand video streamer Hulu has launched a public beta version of its live TV streaming service. Announced at Hulu’s lavish Hulu Upfront press event, Hulu with Live TV premieres as the next big challenger in the live TV streaming marketplace.

At a starting cost of $40 per month, Hulu’s new service features over 50 live channels at launch, and comes with a bonus in the form of a subscription to Hulu’s premium on-demand service (an $8-per-month value) as well as up to 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and six individual profiles.

Recommended Videos

As with competing services like DirecTV Now and Playstation Vue, users can connect to multiple streams at once, though the service is limited to just two devices at once for the basic package. Adding a $15-per-month upgrade tacks on 200 hours of cloud DVR storage, or unlimited in-home streams, while $20 gets you both.

Channels that viewers will likely be excited to see broken away from cable and satellite packages include sports stations like Fox Sports and ESPN, news stations like CNN and CNBC, and lifestyle channels like the Food Network and Adult Swim.

“Nearly a decade ago, Hulu forever redefined the way people watch TV. Today, as we add live sports, news and entertainment and introduce a more intuitive Hulu, we want to redefine the way people experience TV,” said Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins at a launch event in New York. “By bringing together thousands of live, on-demand and library shows and movies — and serving them up in a uniquely personalized way – Hulu can now be a viewer’s primary source of television. It’s a natural extension of our business, and an exciting new chapter for Hulu.”

The addition of the live TV streaming is a smart play for the company, though it is entering into a crowded market. Along with the services mentioned above, Hulu’s new service will have to contend with other competitors like SlingTV and YouTube TV, all of which are looking to capture a large portion of the live TV streaming subscriber pool. As one of the most popular on-demand streaming services online, it makes sense that Hulu should be able to grab some significant market share in the space, especially with so many sought-after channels.

Besides in-browser viewing, the service can be streamed on Apple TV, Xbox One, iOS, Android, and Chromecast devices at launch. The company says that popular streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs will soon be supported. Those looking for more information on how to subscribe to the service or it’s functionality can find everything they need to know on Hulu’s website.

Updated 5-4-2017 by Ryan Waniata: Amended cloud DVR storage to clarify that separate $15 upgrades allow for 200 hours of storage, or unlimited in-home streams, while a $20 upgrade gets you both.

Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
NFL Week 15 games today: schedule, channels, live streams for December 15
Ja'Marr Chase holds a ball and looks up for the Bengals.

Week 15 kicked off with an ugly game between the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) and the San Francisco 49ers (6-8). Heavy rain in the first half hampered both teams, resulting in a 3-3 halftime score. No touchdowns were scored in the game. However, the Rams scored four field goals to win 12-6.

Thirteen NFL games will be played in Week 15 on December 15. There are two great games in the late afternoon window. Those games feature the Bills and Lions and the Steelers and Eagles. To watch every game, purchase NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Below, check out the NFL Week 15 schedule, with times, channels, and streaming information.
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers start time, channel, and live stream
https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1867391732817535346

Read more
YouTube TV prices are going up again in 2025
YouTube TV on Roku.

"Nothing is certain except death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin apparently said in 1789. If he were alive today, he may very well have added, "... and streaming subscription price increases." Yes, that's my way of saying that -- despite reports to the contrary -- YouTube TV is jacking the price of its base subscription by $10 per month starting January 13, 2025, according to the following email sent to customers on December 12:
YouTube TV has always worked hard to offer you the content you love, delivered the way you want, with features that make it easy to enjoy the best of live TV.

‌To keep up with the rising cost of content and the investments we make in the quality of our service, we’re updating our monthly price from $72.99/month to $82.99/month starting January 13, 2025.

Read more
NFL Week 14 games today: schedule, channels, live streams for December 8
Justin Herbert walking on the football field for the Chargers.

Whenever the NFL schedule has an exciting Thursday night game, it's always a good sign for the rest of the week. We got one this week as the Detroit Lions (12-1) defeated the Green Bay Packers (9-4) on a last-second field goal to win 34-31. The story of this game was the Lions' ability to convert on fourth down, with four conversions to keep drives alive.

Eleven NFL games will be played in Week 14 on December 8. The Sunday night matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs should be the best game of the day. Don't forget that NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV gives fans access to every game. Below, check out the NFL Week 14 schedule, with times, channels, and streaming information.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins start time, channel, and live stream
https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1864847914436067667

Read more