Hulu + Live TV gives you everything in the Hulu streaming library plus 95+ live channels, including ESPN, CNN, Disney Channel and local ABC, CBS, CW and FOX affiliates in most cities, with unlimited Cloud DVR storage. To use it you'll need to be in the U.S. and set a residential Home network within 30 days of signing up, as of October 2026.
Here's the part that decides whether it'll suit you. Your Home network sets your regional sports networks, but local affiliates follow wherever you physically are. Living room devices only get Live TV on your Home network, phones need to check in at Home every 30 days, and you can change your Home network up to four times per year.
The Live TV plans and what comes with them
- Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select
- Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select
- Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select
- Hulu + Live TV Español, Disney+
- Live TV Only, which is live content only, with no Hulu streaming library or Disney+
- Live TV Only Español, which is Spanish-language channels only
Every Live TV plan apart from the Español ones includes the full ESPN Unlimited experience in the ESPN app. So although the plan name says ESPN Select, logging into the ESPN app also gets you ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and ESPN on ABC. To see what that's worth on its own, here's the ESPN Unlimited price guide.
On top of premium add-ons like HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, Cinemax and STARZ, Live TV has its own add-ons for an extra monthly charge: Unlimited Screens, Entertainment Networks, a Sports Add-on and Español Networks. For the plan costs, see how much each Hulu plan costs.
Which channels you can watch live
| Type of channel | Examples on Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | BET, Comedy Central, Freeform, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, MTV, OWN, TBS, TNT, VH1 |
| Family | Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. |
| Educational | Discovery, History, National Geographic |
| National sports | ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, SEC Network, BTN, ACC Network |
| National news | CNN, Fox News, ABC News, The Weather Channel |
| Local and regional | ABC, CBS, CW and FOX affiliates in most cities, plus select regional sports networks |
Enter your ZIP code on Hulu to check your own lineup, because live programming is subject to regional availability, blackouts and device restrictions.
Setting up your Home network
You'll need a device that supports the latest Hulu app and live TV, a residential, non-mobile internet connection and a download speed of at least 8mbps for smooth live streams. Mobile hotspots and shared Wi-Fi such as a dorm or office building can't be your Home network. If that's all you've got, Hulu recommends a Hulu or Hulu Premium plan instead.
- Sign up at Hulu.com/live-tv, or change your plan from your Account page if you already have Hulu.
- Install the Hulu app on your streaming device if it isn't already there.
- Set your Home network on your residential connection within 30 days of signing up.
- From the Home screen, open the Live tab and use the Live Guide to pick a program.
Away from home, the Hulu streaming library works on most supported devices. Live TV, DVR and premium add-ons can be interrupted on a phone that hasn't checked in at Home in the past 30 days, or on a living room device outside your Home network. If you're travelling in the U.S., check in before you leave: you'll keep the same national channels and regional sports networks, while local affiliates switch to wherever you are.
Live TV plans are meant for single-home use. If you need live TV in two houses, Hulu suggests a second Live TV account.
Recording with Cloud DVR
| Cloud DVR rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Storage | Unlimited |
| How long recordings stay | Up to 9 months, while your Live TV subscription is active |
| If you cancel or hit a billing hold | You lose your recordings |
| If you pause your account | Your recordings stay |
| Ads | Recordings include ad breaks, but you can fast forward through them |
| Where to find them | The Recordings section of My Stuff, newest airdate first |
Set a recording from the Details page of a show, movie or sports team, or from a title in the Live Guide. Recording from the Live Guide only captures that single episode, so use the Details page and choose New & reruns if you want the whole series. On the web, deleting a whole series removes every episode at once.
While you're watching live, you can pause, rewind or fast forward, then select Jump to Live to catch up. You can flip channels from the Live Guide without stopping your stream, and the guide shows what's airing over the next two weeks.
Screens, picture quality and profiles
You can stream on two screens at once, and activate the app on as many supported devices as you like, but a third stream may show an error. The Unlimited Screens add-on lets every device on your Home network stream at the same time, plus up to three mobile devices away from home. Content from premium networks such as HBO Max, Cinemax, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and STARZ is capped at five screens, three of which can be mobiles out of home. You can watch in up to 1080p/60fps with 5.1 surround sound on select devices, and set up to six profiles.
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Live sports and blackouts
Live games come through local, regional and national sports networks, covering leagues like the NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL and MLB. As one example, Hulu lists the NFL regular season from September 9, 2026 to January 10, 2027 on NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN and NFL Network.
Some games will still be out-of-market or blacked out. Those restrictions come from the leagues and rights holders and can affect other TV services too. Check the Live Guide before game day, and if an event's blocked, Hulu suggests logging in with your Hulu credentials on other TV apps and websites to watch it.
My verdict on Hulu + Live TV
I'd get it if you live in one home with fixed broadband, want local channels and ESPN together, and like recording rather than watching live. I'd skip it if you split your time between two houses, rely on a hotspot, or mostly watch on the go without checking in at Home. If you're still choosing a live service, here's my side by side of YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Frequently asked questions
How many channels does Hulu + Live TV have?
Over 95 live and on-demand channels, including local ABC, CBS, CW and FOX affiliates in most cities. Enter your ZIP code on Hulu to check your lineup.
Do I need a Home network for Hulu + Live TV?
Yes. You set it on a residential, non-mobile connection within 30 days of signing up. Hulu and Hulu Premium plans don't need one.
How long does Hulu keep DVR recordings?
Up to 9 months while your Live TV subscription is active. Cancelling or a billing hold loses them; pausing doesn't.
How many screens can watch Hulu + Live TV at once?
Two, or every device on your Home network plus three mobiles away from home with the Unlimited Screens add-on.
Can I watch Hulu + Live TV in two houses?
Live TV plans are for single-home use, so Hulu recommends a second Live TV account if you need live TV in both places.
