Hulu launched its anticipated Live TV product today in beta mode.
The service is competitively priced with other internet-delivered TV services such as Sling TV and DirecTV Now, starting at $39.99 per month with over 50 channels, two users per account, and 50 hours of cloud DVR service. (See this list of Hulu Live TV channels.)
What might give Hulu’s Live TV an edge is the inclusion of their $7.99 per month ad-supported streaming service with a subscription (you know, the service that’s been trying to compete with Netflix for around ten years now).
But what would give Live TV even more of a bang would be to include the ad-free version of Hulu (currently $11.99 per month) with Live TV. As of now, Hulu says Live TV subs can pay an additional $4 to remove the ads. Come on Hulu!
Like Netflix, Hulu Live TV includes up to six profiles for different users in a household, and a “Kids Mode” for worry-free viewing. Hulu will also use viewing habits to provide recommendations for individual profiles, even taking into consideration time of day and devices used.
Among other add-ons, Hulu will let subscribers upgrade to 200 hours of DVR storage for $14.99 per month, or add additional users (unlimited at home and up to six away from home) for $14.99 per month. Both of those services can be purchased in a combo deal for $19.99 per month.
In effect, a potential Live TV “super user” could get over 50 channels, 200 hours of DVR storage, unlimited streams at home (three outside the home), and access to Hulu’s streaming service with no commercials for about $70 per month.
Upon launch, Hulu Live TV is supported on iOS, Android, Apple TV (4th gen), Xbox One, and Chromecast.
