Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

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

Parker Hall
By


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.

Related

“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.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Parker Hall
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…
Creighton vs Princeton live stream: How to watch for free
A wide shot of the inside of the Alamodome arena.

We’re now into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and if you’ve got the bug for March Madness, you won’t want to miss today’s Creighton vs Princeton game. This is a matchup of surprise Cinderella teams, and there are quite a few good places to watch March Madness online. With the Creighton vs Princeton game being broadcast by TBS, several of the best live TV streaming services will have access to the live stream. We’ve narrowed down the best ways to watch the game online, and we’ve even found a way for you to watch Creighton vs Princeton for free, legally, from anywhere in the world.
Watch the Creighton vs Princeton live stream on Sling TV

Sling TV is an all-in-one streaming TV service that includes TBS in its channel offerings, and it makes for a great place to watch NCAA basketball this time of year. It has two base plans to choose from, with TBS and the Creighton vs Princeton game available on each of them. Sling is a good platform to consider a subscription to if you enjoy sports in general, as it also includes networks like ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network and TNT in its base plans. Dozens of other channels are also available, and while there isn’t a Sling TV free trial available, subscriptions start at just $40 per month and discounts are almost always going for first-time subscribers.

Read more
Alabama vs San Diego State live stream: How to watch for free
testing 5g superdome ncaa champions

With top-seeded Alabama taking on San Diego State in March Madness today, you may be wondering how to watch NCAA basketball online. This is the Sweet 16 after all, and the intensity is picking up for a spot in this weekend’s Elite Eight. The Alabama vs San Diego State television broadcast will be handled by TBS, which means you’ll be able to watch online via some of the best live TV streaming services. We’ve narrowed down the best places to watch the Alabama vs San Diego State game, and we’ve even found a way to watch the game for free.
Watch the Alabama vs San Diego State live stream on Sling TV

Sling TV is one of the best places to watch March Madness this year, as it not only gives you access to TBS, but to TNT and truTV, which are the other cable networks covering NCAA Tournament games. Sling TV is a popular streaming TV service among people looking for something to replace a cable subscription, as it’s an all-in-one TV service that keeps things simple. It has two base plans to choose from, with TBS offered on each. This ensures you can watch the Alabama vs San Diego State game no matter which channel lineup you feel is best for you. Base Sling TV plans start at $40 per month, and while there is no Sling TV free trial available, discounts are often available to first-time subscribers.

Read more
Houston vs Miami live stream: Watch for free online
how to watch final four in virtual reality ncaa

The NCAA tournament is back underway today with 1-seed Houston taking on 5-seed Miami University in the Sweet 16. This is a game you don’t want to miss, and you may be wondering how to watch March Madness online. The Houston vs Miami television broadcast is being handled by CBS, which means you’ll be able to watch the live stream on some of the best live TV streaming services, as long as they provide access to your local CBS channel. We’ve tracked down the best places to watch Houston vs Miami online, so read onward for more details. We’ve even nailed down a couple of ways to watch the live stream for free.
Watch the Houston vs Miami live stream on FuboTV

FuboTV is one of the best places to watch NCAA basketball throughout the season, and today it’s the place to watch the Houston vs Miami, NCAA tournament game as it offers your local CBS network as part of its channel lineup. FuboTV is a TV streaming service that’s geared for sports lovers, as it offers more than 150 channels that include ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, NBA TV, MLB Network, and several Fubo original sports channels. You’ll be able to watch the Houston vs Miami game with a FuboTV subscription, but if you’ve never subscribed to FuboTV before you can take advantage of a 7-day FuboTV free trial. This will allow you watch the Houston vs Miami live stream for free.

Read more