Hulu is officially launching the beta version of its live TV product today, offering access to more than 50 channels for $39.99 per month. Those channels..
Hulu is officially launching the beta version of its live TV product today, offering access to more than 50 channels for $39.99 per month.
Those channels will include ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and local affiliates, along with ESPN, CNN, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, FX, USA Network and many more.
Hulu also announced that it’s signed a deal with Scripps Networks Interactive to bring their channels — including HGTV, Travel Channel and Food Network — into the live TV service.
The company is unveiling Hulu With Live TV (that’s the official name) at a New York City event for press and advertisers. The announcement (just barely) sticks to CEO Mike Hopkins’ earlier statement that the service would cost “ under $40 ” — my colleague Sarah Perez reported last month that the price would be $39.99 .
Other companies like AT&T/DirecTV and Google/YouTube have recently launched stripped down cable packages at similar pricing levels. Like Hulu, they allow you to watch live TV on connected televisions, computers and mobile devices.
Hopkins argued today that Hulu is more than just a “skinny” cable bundle — it’s an entirely new TV experience, because it blends live TV with Hulu’s on-demand TV library, and because it creates a personalized experience where users get fast access to their favorite shows, movies and channels.
Hulu says the live TV experience is rolling out on Xbox One, Apple TV, iOS, Android and Chromecast, with Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Samsung Smart TVs coming soon.
The company also made a big announcement on the Originals front today — The Handmaid’s Tale, which Hopkins said was the service’s most-watched premiere ever, has been reviewed for a second season.
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