Hulu

Hulu was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corporation, designed from the start to bring broadcast television to the internet. Disney completed its acquisition of full operational control in 2019, integrating Hulu into a portfolio that now includes Disney+ and ESPN+. Unlike its streaming competitors, Hulu made an early and consequential bet on current-season broadcast television, securing next-day rights to ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox programming. By 2026 this differentiator remains relevant — Hulu is still the only major streaming service where subscribers can watch new episodes of network shows without a live TV add-on. The app is well-designed and technically stable, offering both on-demand and, with the Live TV add-on, a genuine cable replacement experience with 85+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR. The content library benefits enormously from Disney ownership, delivering FX Originals (The Bear, Shogun, Justified: City of Primeval), Star Wars content on Disney+, and sports via the Disney Bundle. The base plan at $7.99/month includes ads; the no-ads tier costs $17.99/month. The Live TV add-on adds $82.99/month, making Hulu one of the pricier options in the streaming landscape when fully loaded. Hulu's competitive position is strongest for viewers who want next-day broadcast TV without paying for cable. The Disney Bundle ($14.99/month for Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ with ads) represents one of the best value propositions in streaming if you consume content across all three services. The app experience is not flawless — promotional content for Hulu's own shows can feel intrusive, and the ad tier introduces mid-episode breaks — but the content depth and live TV flexibility give Hulu a clear use case that Netflix and Prime Video simply cannot replicate.

Features

• →Next-Day Broadcast TV — New episodes of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox series available the morning after air date — the only major streaming service to offer current-season network TV without a live TV add-on.
• →Live TV Add-On — 85+ live channels with unlimited cloud DVR storage at $82.99/month — a full cable replacement including local affiliates, sports networks, and news channels.
• →FX & Disney Content — Exclusive access to FX Originals including The Bear, Shogun, and American Horror Story, alongside Disney and Pixar films available through the Disney Bundle.
• →Disney Bundle — Combined Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ subscription at $14.99/month (with ads) delivers three full streaming services at a price competitive with a single Netflix Standard plan.

Final take

Hulu is the right choice for network TV fans and Disney Bundle subscribers — next-day broadcast access and FX Originals justify the cost for regular viewers. Casual streamers should consider whether those specific content advantages outweigh the cheaper ad-free tiers available at Netflix or Max.