You might be wondering: can you really ditch cable and still get live TV, news, sports, and your favorite shows all in one place? Hulu Live TV promises just that. It combines live channel streaming with Hulu’s on-demand library and extras like Disney+ and ESPN+. Many people are asking: Is Hulu Live TV worth it? What does it offer? How much does it cost? You’re about to get answers in simple terms.

In short, Hulu Live TV gives you access to over 95–100 live TV channels, unlimited DVR, and the full Hulu on-demand library (plus Disney+ and ESPN+ in many cases). It’s a strong option for people who want both live television and streaming in one package. However, it has limits: only 2 simultaneous streams, no full 4K for live content, and the interface can feel cluttered.

What is Hulu Live TV?

When you hear “Hulu Live TV” (or “Hulu + Live TV”), you should think of a hybrid service. It’s not just a streaming library. It’s a service that offers live television channels (news, sports, local networks) over the Internet, integrates that with Hulu’s streaming catalog of movies and shows, often includes Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled (depending on plan), lets you record shows (cloud DVR) and watch them later, and works on many devices (smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming boxes). Because it gives live channels and streaming content in one app, people often search Hulu Live TV vs cable or Hulu Live TV cost — and that’s what many want to know right now.

Here’s what’s in the base package:

Local networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and The CW (availability depends on your region)

Sports: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports Network, ACC Network, SEC Network

News: CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, ABC News Live

Entertainment & Lifestyle: FX, AMC, TLC, Food Network, HGTV, Bravo, A&E, MTV, VH1

Family & Kids: Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Universal Kids, Boomerang

On top of that, Hulu lets you expand your plan with premium packages:

HBO Max, Showtime, STARZ, and Cinemax for movies and exclusive shows

Sports add-on: Includes NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel, TVG, and more

Entertainment add-on: Adds extra lifestyle channels like Cooking Channel, BET Her, and Discovery Family

This flexibility is why Hulu Live TV appeals to so many households. You get a solid starting lineup, but can customize your channel package depending on what you watch most. If you’re a sports fan, you can load up on sports networks. If you’re into movies, premium add-ons give you Hollywood content.

Price and Plans

Price is one of the top things people search for. Here’s what you need to know:

Before October 21, 2025, the basic “Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV” plan costs $82.99/month.

After October 21, 2025, that price will increase to $89.99/month for the same plan.

There is also a “No Ads” variant (so Hulu and Disney+ become ad-free, though live content still has ads), which costs more (e.g. $95.99/month)

The plan includes unlimited DVR storage (you can record as many shows as you want, often up to 9 months of storage)

But you can only stream on 2 devices at the same time under the standard plan.

Because of these numbers, many people search “Hulu Live TV cost” or “is Hulu Live TV expensive?” — and people weigh this cost against their cable or satellite subscriptions.

So when you search for “Hulu TV channels packages,” the answer is simple: Hulu Live TV gives you a well-rounded base package plus optional add-ons, so you can shape the service to fit your needs. For updated prices, check Hulu’s official plans & pricing page

Hulu + Live TV Free Trial 30 Days

Many people search for “Hulu + Live TV free trial 30 days” in hopes of testing the service before paying. The truth is: Hulu’s free trial offers change over time. For the standard Hulu streaming plan (without Live TV), Hulu often gives a 30-day free trial so you can try movies and TV shows on demand. But when it comes to Hulu + Live TV, the rules are different.

At the moment, Hulu rarely offers a full 30-day free trial for the Live TV plan. Instead, you may see shorter trials, such as 7 days, depending on when you sign up. Sometimes, during special promotions, Hulu brings back the longer 30-day trial for Live TV. But it’s not always guaranteed.

Here are a few things you should know if you’re looking for a trial:

When you hear “Hulu Live TV” (or “Hulu + Live TV”), think of it as a hybrid service. It’s more than just a streaming library  it offers live television channels like news, sports, and local networks over the Internet, while also integrating Hulu’s catalog of movies and shows. Depending on the plan, it often includes Disney+ and ESPN+ as well. You can record shows with cloud DVR and watch them later, and it works seamlessly across many devices including smart TVs, phones, tablets, and streaming boxes. Because it combines live channels and on-demand streaming content in one app, people often search for Hulu Live TV vs cable or Hulu Live TV cost, which are some of the most common questions right now.

How to Use Hulu Live TV: Tips

If you decide to try it, here are some practical tips to make your experience better. Organize your favorites by marking the channels you watch most so they appear faster in the guide. Use DVR smartly to record shows you can’t watch live — in many cases, you can even rewind live TV. Watch on devices that support higher resolution, since some will give you better video quality than others. Take advantage of flexibility by canceling or pausing the subscription when you don’t need it, unlike cable. Before committing, check which local channels are available in your area, as some may be missing or blocked. Finally, manage your add-ons wisely — you can expand your package with extra channels like sports or premium networks, but they come at an additional cost.

Hulu Live TV vs Alternatives

When people search “Hulu Live TV vs competitors,” they compare it against YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, etc. Here’s how it stacks up:

Compared to YouTube TV: YouTube TV often offers more simultaneous streams and a more intuitive live TV interface. But Hulu’s bundle with streaming services (Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+) gives strong added value.

Compared to Fubo: Fubo is more sports-oriented; Hulu is more balanced across genres.

Compared to Sling: Sling is cheaper, but has fewer channels and lacks strong local network coverage.

Compared to cable/satellite: Hulu gives you flexibility, no long contracts, and cutting the cord — but with streaming limitations and reliance on a good internet connection.

Hulu Live TV vs YouTube TV

One of the biggest decisions you’ll face when cutting the cord is choosing between Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV. People search for this comparison daily because both services are leaders in the live streaming market, but they serve slightly different audiences.

1. Channel Lineup

Hulu Live TV: About 95+ channels, including local networks, sports, and entertainment. The standout perk is the inclusion of Hulu’s entire on-demand library, plus Disney+ and ESPN+.

YouTube TV: Over 100 channels, often with a stronger sports lineup. It also includes unlimited DVR and a very easy-to-use channel guide.

2. Price

Hulu Live TV: $82.99/month (going up to $89.99 after October 2025).

YouTube TV: Around $72.99/month (prices may vary with add-ons).

3. DVR & Simultaneous Streams

Hulu: Unlimited DVR, but only 2 simultaneous streams unless you pay extra.

YouTube TV: Unlimited DVR, up to 3 streams at once with the base plan.

4. Interface & Experience

Hulu’s app mixes streaming content with live TV, which some people love but others find confusing.

YouTube TV feels closer to traditional cable with a straightforward guide, making it easier for live channel browsing.

5. Extra Value

Hulu Live TV’s bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ is unbeatable if you want streaming plus live content.

YouTube TV is better for families with multiple users and sports fans who want more simultaneous access.

Is Hulu Live TV right for you?

Let’s help you decide. It’s a good choice if you want both live TV and streaming content in one app, regularly watch news, sports, or local channels, plan to use the Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ bundle, live in a region where local channels are supported, and are fine with streaming on two devices at once. However, you might want to skip it if you have a large household with three or more people streaming simultaneously, expect everything in full 4K live, prefer a simpler, dedicated live TV interface, or don’t care much about live programming and mostly watch on demand.

Recent Changes & What’s Happening in 2025

Because many people search “Hulu Live TV news 2025,” here are some up-to-date developments:

Hulu is planning to merge fully into Disney+ by 2026, meaning the separate Hulu app may go away, but its content and live TV will live inside Disney+.

Disney is also combining Hulu Live TV’s business with FuboTV in a joint venture. Hulu Live subscribers may be transitioned or share infrastructure with Fubo.

There is a price hike coming on October 21, 2025: the basic plan will go from $82.99 to $89.99.

These changes could reshape how Hulu Live TV works in the future, so it’s wise to watch how things evolve.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking, Should I get Hulu Live TV?, here’s a simple answer for you. Yes, if you want a service that brings live TV and streaming together, and you value the bundle (Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+). But balance it against the cons: limited streams, no full 4K live, and interface quirks.

If you try it, use the free trial (if available) to see if it fits your viewing habits. And keep an eye on the upcoming changes in 2025  the streaming world is shifting, and Hulu Live TV may look quite different soon.