How to watch live TV on Hulu
If you are a fan of on-demand movies and TV shows, chances are you’ve come across Hulu. Hulu’s Live TV is an extension of the on-demand service by Hulu that adds live streaming to the package.
Unlike other typical streaming services, Live TV on Hulu offers a broad spectrum of on-demand content including CBS, Fox, ABC and other types of content that are hard to come by. Hulu differs from cable in that you need impressive internet connectivity plus a compatible device for it to work; a mere television is not enough.
If your biggest concern is how to watch live TV on Hulu, first understand that it works on a subscription basis. Once you subscribe, you can access live TV on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or a TV with a compatible device.
This platform is a better alternative to the costly cable subscription but it has a fair share of competitors that provide live TV streaming as well. Currently, DirecTV, YouTube, Sling TV, CBS All Access, and Vue are offering different capacities of live TV coverage.
First, you have to sign up for Live TV at hulu.com in a simple process. Signing up is much easier if you have an account with Hulu. If you don’t have an account, simply visit hulu.com. You can even start a free trial if you have never subscribed to live TV on Hulu before.
Next, select the Live TV option and continue signing in with Facebook, if you want to. Enter the necessary information, including your credit card details and submit your registration. If you have an active subscription, the process of adding Live TV becomes easier. You simply need to log in to your account and click “Get Live TV”.
Choose a plan that includes Live TV and enter your zip code. With regards to Live TV plans, Hulu provides a basic package plus another option that allows the subscriber to skip commercials. The two plans come with similar basic channels (50+). The difference between them is that one features commercials from on-demand content while the other one doesn’t.
How to stream live TV on Hulu outside the US
If you are outside the US or don’t want to wait until the American TV shows are translated into your language, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a perfect solution. With VPN software on your device, your connection to the internet is directed via a private server in the US. When using a reliable VPN, Hulu cannot determine your IP address; hence, your activities on the internet remain anonymous.
Choosing a reliable VPN
It is very important that you choose a comprehensive VPN provider. Luckily, the software can be used by anyone, whether you are a beginner or an avid user. A good example is CyberGhost that allows you to use a maximum of 7 devices simultaneously. Other reliable VPN providers include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PrivateVPN, IPVanish, PureVPN, VyprVPN, Hotspot Shield, and StrongVPN.
It takes about 3 minutes or less to install the VPN software and you don’t need to be tech-savvy to do so. Simple instructions are available online and they should guide your installation. You may start using the software immediately once it’s installed. To activate it, choose a US server and click ‘Connect’. Your device is assigned a new IP address so you will not be restricted when you watch live TV on Hulu.
How many TV shows can you watch simultaneously?
With the basic package, there is a limit to the number of shows you can watch at once on your account and on different devices. This limit is a single stream.
Hulu with Live TV revs up the subscription to double streaming so you can watch a live show on your laptop while someone else watches another show on their smartphone at the same time. There’s also the Unlimited Screen package, but more on that later.
What’s the ideal internet speed?
The quality of video depends partially on your internet speed. You can still watch videos on Hulu’s live TV with poor internet, but it might keep lagging. Hulu doesn’t give any suggestions on the minimum download speeds for the highest picture quality.
On-demand movies and shows require 3 Mbps and above for high definition and at least 1.5 Mbps for standard definition video. Live TV requires at least 8mbps in a single stream and extra bandwidth is necessary on multiple streams.
Live TV special features and add-ons
Hulu with Live TV provides unlimited screens, premium channels/add-ons, and cloud Digital Video Recorder. There are over 50 channels but if you need more, you have to pay extra money. The most important add-ons and packages include the Enhanced Cloud DVR which provides content that you may save to your DVR in the cloud. There is also the Cinemax with 7 live channels including West and East coast broadcasts.
The Unlimited Screen package, as the name suggests, allows you to watch as many streams as you like simultaneously. Normally, you are limited to two screens at a time, but the Unlimited Screen allows you to use as many devices as you want.
This is great for large families with different interests. Then there’s the Showtime package which includes 8 live Showtime channels depending on the location. A full list of on-demand Showtime content is available too.
How to use the cloud DVR feature
Hulu with Live TV has a cloud DVR feature so you can record a show and watch it later. The storage is internet-based so you don’t have to worry about finding a hard drive. You may also record on your devices and watch the content later.
However, the default cloud DVR has limited space and you cannot skip commercials. So, to record more live TV, you have to upgrade to an enhanced feature of the cloud DVR.
Is renting movies from Hulu possible?
Unlike with other streaming platforms, it is not possible to rent movies on hulu.com. However, the subscription gives you access to a wealth of on-demand films. Note that the cloud DVR feature enables you to record and watch movies later. If you need a movie that’s yet to be released on Hulu, check other services such as iTunes, Amazon, and Vudu.
Hulu is a pioneer in online streaming – hence its library of on-demand content is a strong selling point of Hulu with Live TV. When you subscribe to any plan, you can access on-demand content from major broadcasting networks, exclusive TV shows, and massive cable networks.
You can watch some shows to their end and can stream them live at any time. Others become available a few days after they have aired.
How to find the content you want
Almost all in-home and mobile devices support Hulu. All you have to do is log into your account and stream on-demand content or watch live TV while logged into your account. To get what you are looking for, use ‘My Stuff’ to keep track of the items you have chosen. For the most up-to-date content, go ‘Home’ and check the entire library. You can also search for a specific title by using the search bar.
Depending on what you love watching, you can enjoy a personalized TV experience and multiple profiles on Hulu with Live TV. The subscriptions are transparent as there are no hidden charges.
You can cancel any time and you have the freedom to pick your desired plan and watch any time you want on your device. At a reasonable fee, you get everything you need in one basket.
