Streaming 101: Everything You Need to Know About Hulu
Who’s It For: TV fans, bargain hunters
Why We Like It: Low cost, wide variety of TV programming
Price Tag: $5.99 – $44.99 per month
Hulu is one of the original and most-popular entries into the streaming market. Hulu’s focus has always been on TV programming, although they do offer a strong library of movies as well.
If you’re considering adding Hulu to your “menu” of streaming services, this blog entry will help you make an informed decision. (If you’d like personalized recommendations for streaming services based on your interests, make sure you check out our Streaming Cookbook!)
Cost & Programming Options
Hulu is currently offering three tiers of service.
- For $5.99 per month, you have access to Hulu’s full library of on-demand programming, but you’ll have to watch ads.
- At $11.99 per month, Hulu removes ads.
- And for $44.99 per month, you can access Hulu’s on-demand library as well as a wide variety of Live TV channels – including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, and much more.
If you want speciality programming like HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime, they’re available at an additional monthly cost.
Availability
You can watch Hulu on a variety of streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox One, and many more. Access is also available directly on the web or through your iOS or Android device.
Chef’s Take
Hulu is an inexpensive, versatile streaming service. You’ll find a mix of movies, TV shows, and kids programming. If you’re willing to invest in their Live TV package, you’ll have access that’s similar to what you’d get with a standard cable or satellite TV package, for a very reasonable cost.
Hulu really shines for TV fans – you’ll find a great variety of current, popular TV series, as well as many classic shows. But if live sports are a top priority for you, you’ll need to add additional streaming services to your menu as Hulu provides limited access.
Remember to use our Streaming Cookbook for personalized streaming recommendations based on your priorities and interests – including Hulu and many other streaming packages. Happy streaming!