History
Hulu is a U.S. video-on-demand subscription service co-owned by The Walt Disney Company and Comcast that launched in 2010 and as of 2019 boasts over 28 million subscribers. Hulu’s primary focus is on new television shows and content, rather than building a library of older movies, documentaries and other categories. Hulu is different than other streaming services, because it offers the latest content from major networks quicker than other platforms. Most TV shows are accessible a day, a week at most, after they air on regular television. Hulu also has a program called Hulu+ Live TV that allows users to not only access Hulu’s entire content library, but also watch their favorite sporting events, news and other programs live. Hulu has all of your favorite TV all in one place.
Content
Like its competitors, Netflix and Amazon Prime to name a few, Hulu produces original content just for its platform. The most popular shows include The Handsmaid’s Tale, Castle Rock, The Act and Catch 22 to name a few. Hulu boasts an impressive 60+ live TV channel and content lineup with too many options to name out.
For sports fanatics, top channels include: ESPN, FS1, FS2, NBC Golf, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, TNT and BTN Sports. For viewers who like to stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the world, top news channels include FOX Business, FOX News, CNBC, CNN, HLN, ESPNews, CNN and MSNBC. For families, favorite channels include Disney Junior, Universal Kids, Disney XD, The Disney Channel, Boomerang and Cartoon Network. Other popular channels include A&E, Bravo, Discovery Channel, Lifetime, SEC Network, Syfy, TBS, Telemundo, USA Network and so many others.
You can find these channels in select areas, ABC News, ABC Live, CBS, FOX, The CW and NBC alongside regional sport events on NBC and FOX. Hulu also offers HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz as premium add-on channels.
Pricing
Depending on your budget and what you want your viewing experience to be, Hulu offers a variety of packages.
- Basic Plan (with ads) $5.99 a month
- Premium Plan (add-free) $11.99 a month
- Basic + Live TV (with ads) $44.99 a month
- Premium + Live TV (with ads) $54.99 a month
All plans allow up to two simultaneous screens on which users can stream. All packages have access to additional add-on channels and access to Hulu’s entire content catalog. Only on the Basic + Live TV and Premium + Live TV packages can users access Hulu’s 60+ channel lineup for live tv.
Hulu also offers premium channel add-ons such as HBO ($14.99), Showtime ($8.99), and Cinemax ($9.99) and Starz ($8.99).
Features
Hulu offers a variety of different features depending on which package you decide to get. Most notably Live TV for the upgraded packages. If users opt for a package with Live TV, they also have access to Hulu’s Enhanced Cloud DVR (200 hours of storage plus ability to speed through ads) and Unlimited Screens (can stream on an unlimited number of screens) which are $9.99 a month or $14.99 a month for both.
Capable Devices
Hulu is available on most smart TVs as well as most streaming devices. Devices include Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Chromecast, Android and iOS devices.
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services available because of their vast library of new, older and original content, in addition to the latest shows and live TV capabilities. Hulu has all of your favorite TV all in one place.
