During upfronts Tuesday morning, Hulu revealed that it is now offering live TV packages to subscribers.
CEO Mike Hopkins announced the launch of a “brand new live TV streaming beta service” that users can opt into starting today. For $39.99 a month, subscribers will have access to “live and on demand programming from more than 50 popular sports, news, entertainment and kids’ channels — plus Hulu’s deep existing premium streaming library.” In other words, you’re still getting all of the TV and movies you had in your regular $7.99 a month subscription, but with the added bonus of a lot of the live coverage that cord-cutters are missing out on.
Just think: You can easily watch the Oscars red carpet in your own home using your Apple TV.
Your favorite @hgtv, @FoodNetwork, and @travelchannel shows all in one place. Coming this month to Hulu. #HuluUpfront2017 pic.twitter.com/POseprz8Uv
— Hulu (@hulu) May 3, 2017
Channels available in the initial launch include “CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports… TNT, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC… Bravo, E!, Food Network, HGTV… A&E, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX, HISTORY, Lifetime, National Geographic, TBS, USA Network, Viceland” plus regional sports networks to help you stay up on those local games. Not too shabby.
And of course there are mods to that baseline package. For $14.99 a month you can add on an “enhanced cloud DVR” that lets you watch up to 200 hours of recorded programs from all your devices. For $8.99 a month you can get Showtime.
The service is compatible with fourth-generation Apple TVs, Xbox One, iOS, Android mobile devices, and Chromecast; and will soon be available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and Samsung Smart TVs.