How to watch live TV on Hulu

Image: hulu / mashable composite

If a million years of melodramatic Bachelor finales have taught us literally anything, it’s that no one likes being the one person playing catch-up on Twitter while everyone else watches something go down live as it airs. 

Fortunately for all of you cord-cutters out there, the popular streaming service Hulu offers an add-on that lets you watch live sports, news broadcasts, shows, and special events (like the Oscars) in real time — no antenna or cable subscription required. 

Thinking about becoming a subscriber? Here’s what you need to know about watching live TV with Hulu before signing up.

Which Hulu plan has live TV?

The Hulu plan that includes live TV is very aptly named Hulu + Live TV, which includes everything in Hulu’s massive streaming library of films, series, and originals, plus more than 65 live and on-demand TV channels. The standard version will run you $64.99 a month and features the occasional ad; if you’d rather watch the latest installment of The Handmaid’s Tale or Chopped, Season 44 in their entirety, uninterrupted, you can upgrade to Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV for $70.99 a month.

Hulu also offers a Live TV Only plan that doesn’t include access to its streaming library, but at $63.99 a month, you might as well shell out that extra buck to get the whole package — it’s totally worth it.

Which channels come with Hulu + Live TV?

The complete list of Hulu + Live TV channels is honestly way too long to fit here, but highlights include sitcoms, news programs, and awards shows on major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS; reality TV and guilty pleasures on E!, Bravo, Lifetime, TBS, and the Food Network; family-friendly favorites on Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel; educational series from Animal Planet, NASA, and National Geographic; and even big games on ESPN, SEC, and BTN. (You may also get access to select local channels and sports networks depending on where you live, but keep in mind that programming is subject to regional restrictions and blackouts.)

Click here or follow the video tutorial below to find out which channels are currently available in your area.

Do I need an antenna to watch live TV with Hulu?

Nope! All you’ll need is a device that supports the latest Hulu app and live TV (see below), along with a residential/non-mobile internet connection with download speeds of at least 8mbps to keep your streaming smooth. No equipment rentals, no installation appointments, no problem.

What devices support Hulu + Live TV?

From Apple TV to the Nintendo Switch, the current version of the Hulu app with live programming is supported on a ton of different devices. Here’s an updated list as of April 2021:

• Android phones and tablets (most models running Android 5.0 and above with a screen size of at least 800×480 pixels)

• Android TVs (select models)

• Apple TV (4th generation or later)

• Chromecast

• Echo Show

• Fire Tablets (select models)

• Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks

• iPhones and iPads (select models)

• LG TVs (select models)

• Nintendo Switch

• PlayStation 4 and 5

• Roku (select models)

• Samsung TVs (2016 or later)

• VIZIO SmartCast TVs

• Xbox 350, One, and Series X/S

Note that while the Playstation 3 and Xfinity devices work with the the latest Hulu app, they don’t currently allow access to its live TV feature. (That may be changing in the near future, though — Hulu’s website says live TV support is “coming soon” to more devices.) Click here to learn more.

Can I watch live TV on multiple devices at the same time?

You can watch Hulu + Live TV on up to two devices simultaneously. Bigger households might want to consider upgrading their plans with Hulu’s Unlimited Screens add-on, which gets you an unlimited number of connections at home and support for up to three mobile devices when you’re on the go for an additional $9.99 a month.

Can I record live TV on Hulu?

You sure can: Every Hulu + Live TV plan includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage that you can use to record your shows for later viewing on any of your supported devices. 

If you need even more space, Hulu’s Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on gets you 200 total hours of video storage and the ability to fast-forward through ad breaks in your recordings for an extra $9.99 a month. (Pssst — if you’re also going the Unlimited Screens route, you can bundle both add-ons for $14.98 a month altogether.)

I still don’t have enough to watch. How can I get even more streaming content with my Hulu + Live TV plan?

Balls-to-the-wall TV bingers and movie marathoners can bundle a Hulu + Live TV plan with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $72.99 a month, which is a great value considering individual Disney+ and ESPN+ subscriptions cost $7.99 and $5.99 a month, respectively. 

Other Hulu add-ons include programming from HBO Max ($14.99 a month), Cinemax ($9.99 a month), Showtime ($10.99 a month), and Starz ($8.99 a month), as well as multi-channel Entertainment and packages. (Those will set you back $7.99 and $4.99 monthly, respectively.)

Is there any way to watch live TV on Hulu for free?

There sure is: New and eligible existing Hulu subscribers can watch Hulu + Live TV for free for seven days. (You’ll be charged the full monthly price after that trial period is up, so be sure to cancel your membership before the week is over to avoid paying a cent.) Hit the blue button below to sign up. 

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