Best Live TV Streaming Service Overall: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is our pick for best live TV streaming service because it offers something for everyoneas well as access to its popular on-demand Hulu service. Yes, you get all the live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC. But you can also bundle sports, entertainment and news along with Hulus enhanced DVR capabilities for $64.99/month.
Hulu + Live TV Sports Channels
The Hulu + Live TV channel list also includes a robust selection of top national and regional sports channels. That means you can catch live games from both pro and college leagues, including the English Premier League, NBA, NCAA, NFL, and NHL, to name a few.
Your Hulu + Live TV subscription comes with access to major sports channels like Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Network, and NFL Network. So whether you enjoy exciting, high-intensity games like basketball or you want to watch a quiet bit of golf, theres something for every type of sports fan.
But note that some channels may be unavailable in certain markets. Plus, blackouts and regional availability still affect which games you get to watch. For example, you may be unable to watch live broadcasts of Golden State Warriors games airing in the local market unless you live in the Bay Area.
Get 75+ channels along with a library of 8,000+ on-demand titles! Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for even more great content.
Use Sling TV To Get Local Channels On A Fire TV Stick
Sling TV is a valuable service that streams local channels using an AirTV receiver/server and an antenna. The AirTV device acts as the channel receiver and media server, streaming the signal through your local Wi-Fi network to your Fire TV Stick or Cube. You need the Sling app on your Fire TV device, and the local channels appear in the TV guide within it. You can choose to view local only or all live streaming networks that you get in your package. The guide is quite universal, with excellent sorting capabilities.
Sure, Sling offers a couple of local channels like FOX and NBC for some Sling locations without the need for an AirTV device, but it only benefits a small number of zones, as shown in the Sling Designated Market Areas. Therefore, AirTV is the best choice, and it doesnt use your bandwidth when streaming your local channels on your Wi-Fi network.
The AirTV device and an antenna provide network connectivity that allows your Firestick to stream your local network channels through the Sling app to enjoy the best selection of regional networks on Sling.
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Use Amazon Fire TV Recast To Get Local Channels On A Firestick
If youre new to Fire OS, picking up Amazons Fire TV Recast is the way to go. Recast works with Amazons TV platform, but it also includes a built-in antenna input on the back of the box. You place the Recast device anywhere you want to which the antenna can attach to it. Thats it! Fire TV Recast is a bit pricey but well worth the upgrade over the standard Fire TV Stick 4K if youre new to the platform. The device works with any version or release of Fire TV Sticks and other Fire TV devices.
What’s The Difference Between Hulu And Hulu Live
Hulu Basic offers ad-supported access to all of Hulu’s on-demand programs. … Hulu Basic + Live TV costs $65 a month and adds over 75 channels of live TV â including Food Network, Discovery, Disney Channel, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, and more. There’s also an option for Hulu Premium + Live TV for $71 a month.
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What Channels Are On Hulu
The 70+ channels with Hulu + Live TV have a decent range of categories. There are over a dozen sports channels and several dozens of family-friendly networks available. The only category thats scarce is the premium movie channel selection, but thats compensated with a few add-ons like HBO Max.
All seven local channels are available on Hulu: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, and The CW. Along with the regional sports networks, the availability of these channels depends on the location where you watch Hulu.
You can check what channels are available in your area on Hulus website.
Heres the table of all 70+ channels listed in Hulus main live TV directory:
| A to D |
What Equipment Do I Need To Get Started
One of the biggest perks of cutting the cord and opting into a service like Hulu + Live TV is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy the content.
Not only can you move seamlessly from device to device, but you can also take your recorded content with you thanks to the portability of the cloud DVR. So you can take your favorite movies and shows with you on vacation .
You can watch Hulu + Live TV on your phone, tablet or computer. But many of us still like to enjoy entertainment on a television from the comfort of our couches.
Hulu + Live TV has you covered in that area, too.
The streaming services list of supported devices for TV includes:
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
- LG TV
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Roku and Roku Stick
- Samsung TV
- Xbox 360 and Xbox One
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Does Hulu Live TV Offer Dolby Digital 51 Surround Sound
Hulu Live TV does not include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service.
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How To Shop For Cord
Each of the TV streaming services above offers a different mix of channels, so your first step should be choosing one that carries your “can’t miss” cable channels and shows. And some of the most important channels are locals, namely ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Not every service offers all of them in every area. The live TV streaming service lineups are in constant flux as networks scramble to secure access to popular channels . There’s also the chance that a certain cable channel could disappear from a certain service after a network contract expires, which is what happened last year with the regional sports networks.
These negotiations mean things are changing constantly too. Over the past year, Sling TV, Hulu, Philo and the newly renamed DirecTV Stream have all raised their prices. are have resolved a contract dispute which prevented users from downloading the YouTube TV app
Broadly, each of these streaming services can be broken down into two main groups: Budget, with prices ranging between $25 and $35 and few or no local channels and Premium, with prices from $65 and up while including locals and supercharged cloud DVRs. That’s right, all of the services allow you to record and play back shows, just like a traditional cable or satellite DVR, but they often come with restrictions.
Read more: Top 100 channels compared across Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, DirecTV Stream and Philo
Here’s a live TV streaming shopping list to consider:
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What Features Come With Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers these features with their basic package:
Cloud DVRThe basic package comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage.
Multiple ScreensYou can watch Hulu + Live TV on 2 screens at once. However, you can only stream the service on your mobile phone if you’re outside your home network. You can’t use streaming devices like the Roku or Fire TV when you’re away.
Who will you share your Hulu account with?
On-DemandHulu + Live TV also gives you access to their on-demand library. It has plenty of on-demand TV shows and video, including original Hulu series like and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Even with these features, there won’t be much to watch unless you get good channels. Find out below if you can get your favorites.
Use A Plex Media Server To Get Local Channels On A Fire Stick
If you already have a Fire Stick but dont want to spend the money on a Fire TV Recast, you arent totally out of luck. A custom-built Plex Media Server can stream broadcasts picked up by an antenna to any device with the Plex app, including your Fire Stick.
Setting up a Plex server isnt as easy as just picking up a Fire TV Recast, but its not impossible. Check out this tutorial on how to connect your Plex server to your Fire TV stick. As with using Amazons Fire Recast, a Plex compatible tuner and any antenna grant you access to every local channel broadcast in your area that you receive. Its free once youve paid for the antenna and the tuner.
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What Channels Do You Get With Hulu + Live TV
Unlike many of its competitors that offer several different subscription options, Hulu + Live TV keeps it simple with just one basic package.
And its a pretty solid one.
For $69.99 per month, Hulu + Live TV includes dozens of channels and access to the providers entire streaming library. For an additional $5.99 per month, you can watch ad-free.
Youll want to visit the website to confirm local channel availability by entering your ZIP code. Where I live, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliate stations are included with a Hulu + Live TV subscription.
are not included thats because of contract disputes with a channel provider.)
Team Clark has assembled a searchable list of Hulu + Live TVs channel offerings.
- STARZ
Finding Local Channels On Hulu + Live TV
Hulu local channels are navigated via the services TV guide, which looks the same as viewers may be accustomed to on traditional cable services. They can scroll through live channels to see the shows that are currently airing and programming thats coming up. The TV guide also enables users to plan their TV schedule and set reminders for shows they want to watch in the next two weeks. For more information about all the networks available on Hulu + Live TV, read our Hulu channels list guide.
Hulu + Live TV users can find live shows through the services categories feature. This enables them to easily discover movies, sports, TV shows, and kids entertainment. The Hulu + Live TV home page also features a Keep Watching tab that helps viewers pick up where they left off. Subscribers can add shows, movies, and sports events by adding content to their My Stuff section. They can also save their favorite networks to the My Channels tab.
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What Is Hulu + Live TV And How Does It Work
Hulu + Live TV is an over-the-top streaming service that lets you watch live programming from over 60 channels along with thousands of on-demand videos from the Hulu content library. This makes it perfect for those who enjoy the convenience of online streaming but dont want to miss out on live TV. And you can cancel any time as theres no annual contract to bind you.
With a Hulu + Live TV subscription, you get live access to news and sports coverage as well as access to plenty of on-demand shows and movies so you can stream the latest episodes of your favorite shows or binge on earlier seasons. And you can even stream new episodes of many currently airing shows the day after they come out.
Hulu + Live TV also comes with cloud DVR storage, so you can record up to 50 hours of live broadcasts to watch later. And you get all of this for $64.99/mo., which, though not particularly cheap, is on par with most live TV streaming services. Plus, you can even customize your plan with additional features and networks for an extra fee .
Other than that, you can also bundle your Hulu + Live TV subscription with Disney+ and ESPN+ for an additional $6/mo. Thats quite a steal considering how a Disney+ subscription on its own costs $7.99/mo., and ESPN+ will set you back by $6.99/mo.
What Are The Available Plans
There are four plans:
Hulu : This plan contains ads, with no live TV. This is the cheapest option. You must wait 24 hours after air date to watch any network shows.
Hulu : This plan is an upgrade in that you benefit from no ads on most shows. You must still wait 24 hours to watch network shows.
Hulu + Live TV : This plan operates like cable, offering you everything offered in the Hulu channel lineup above. There is no delay on content as it includes live TV.
This is the best of the packages if you want a total replacement to cable.
Hulu + Live TV : This plan includes all 75+ channels of live TV and the entire on-demand library. There are virtually no ads in on-demand content.
Every plan includes access to all Hulu original content. You can switch between plans at any time with no fees.
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Can I Get Hbo Max On Hulu
Currently, Hulu live subscribers have the option of getting HBO Max for $14.99 per month. HBO Max is the latest generation of HBO with added shows from Max Originals, DC, Turner Classic Movies, Adult Swim, Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Network, Sesame Workshop, Looney Tuns and Crunchyroll.
HBO Max costs $14.99/mo.Showtime costs $10.99/mo.STARZ costs $8.99/mo.
Subscribing to a premium network through Hulu gives you all the live channels and on-demand library. So you can easily catch up on an older season of a show like Succession, and see new movies and originals.
How To Watch Live TV On Hulu Online Or Throughthe Hulu App
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Whose Streaming Experience And Dvr Is Better
Hulu + Live TV supports 1080p streaming at 60 frames per second on the Apple TV , Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, select Samsung TV models, and the Xbox One. I reached out to my Sling TV representative for clarification on the streaming resolution of live content and will update this section with the company’s response.
Hulus live TV content supports 2.0 stereo audio, but select on-demand programming is available in 5.1 Surround Sound. Sling TVs support for higher-end audio is similar. Live TV streams are available in standard stereo audio, but some on-demand content supports 5.1 Surround Sound audio.
Hulu + Live TV supports two simultaneous streams, which falls short of Sling TVs support for a category-leading four simultaneous streams. If you opt for Hulus $9.99-per-month Unlimited Screens add-ons, you can stream on an unlimited number of devices at home simultaneously and from up to three devices at the same time everywhere else.
Winner: Hulu + Live TV
Use Youtube Premium On Your Fire TV Stick To Get Local Channels
One of the most popular web cable services online today is also one of the most expensive, but now that its finally available in the Fire TV Appstore, you can stream YouTube TV anywhere. At $64.99 per month, YouTube Premium has become one of the most fully-fledged cable-like services online in 2021.
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Local Channels On Hulu
Hulu + Live TV features over 70 entertainment and sports channels, including most popular cable networks, as well as local stations that carry ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW.
But local channel availability varies greatly by area, and very few ZIP codes get all of themcheck with Hulu for whats available in your area. Sorry, Riverdale fandom: The CW is the least-available livestreaming channel on Hulu Live lineups across the US. Double sorry, Antiques Roadshow buffs: PBS isnt on Hulu + Live TV .
MIA CW? If Hulu Live doesnt get the live channel in your area, you can still catch The CWs stream of all of its shows the day after airing for free through its app and website. For other missing local channels, theres always the over-the-air antenna solution.
How Do I Get Hulu With No Ads
There are two main Hulu plans, the on-demand plan and the live TV plan both come as an ad-free version for on-demand content. This costs an additional $6. When you are ready to sign up to Hulu, be sure to select the plan with the ‘display on the website. If you are already a Hulu customer, look for the Account> Manage Plan menu and switch to a No Ads plan.
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