You’re tired of the cable company. I get it. We all are. Between the weird equipment rental fees and the "regional sports fee" that seemingly appears out of thin air, people are jumping ship faster than ever. But the big question that always pops up when someone considers cutting the cord is: can you get live tv on hulu without losing your local news or the big game?
The short answer is a loud yes. But honestly, it’s a bit more complicated than just clicking a button. Hulu isn't just that $7.99 app where you watch The Bear or old episodes of Seinfeld. There is an entirely different side to the platform called Hulu + Live TV. It’s basically a full-blown cable replacement that happens to live inside your existing Hulu app.
The Reality of Hulu + Live TV
When people ask me if they can get live TV on Hulu, they’re usually looking for two things: local channels and sports. In 2026, the streaming landscape is cluttered, but Hulu has stayed relevant by bundling things together. If you sign up for the Live TV tier, you aren't just getting a few "live" streams of random internet shows. You're getting the heavy hitters—ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
It feels like regular TV. You have a grid guide. You can flip through channels. You can record things to a Cloud DVR that, thankfully, has unlimited storage now. Gone are the days of deleting an old movie just to make room for a football game.
But let's talk about the price because that’s the catch. It isn't cheap. You’re looking at a price tag that rivals a standard cable bill once you factor in your internet costs. However, you aren't signing a two-year contract, which is where the real freedom lies. You can cancel it in March after college basketball ends and pick it back up in September for the NFL. No one is coming to your house to collect a dusty set-top box.
What Channels Are Actually Included?
It’s not just about the local stuff. You get a massive lineup of cable staples. Think CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ESPN, HGTV, and Disney Channel. If you have kids, this is a lifesaver because the Disney bundle is usually baked into the price. That means you get Disney+ and ESPN+ included at no extra "visible" cost.
Wait, let's look at the sports side of things. This is where most streamers get annoyed. Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are the bane of every cord-cutter's existence. If you’re trying to watch your local MLB or NBA team, Hulu might let you down depending on who owns the rights in your city. For example, if your team is on a Bally Sports network (or whatever they are calling themselves this month), Hulu often doesn't carry them. You’d have to look at something like Fubo or DirectTV Stream for those specific local rights.
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It’s annoying. I know. But for national broadcasts—think Monday Night Football or the NBA Finals—Hulu + Live TV is rock solid.
Can You Get Live TV on Hulu With the Basic Plan?
This is a common point of confusion. If you are paying for the "Basic" Hulu plan (the one with ads) or the "No Ads" plan, you do not have live TV. You have a library of on-demand content.
Sometimes, Hulu will stream specific live events to everyone—like an election night special or a major awards show—but that’s an exception, not the rule. To get the "Live" tab at the top of your screen, you have to upgrade your subscription.
The User Experience: Is It Actually Good?
The interface has improved, but it's still a bit "click-heavy." If you're using a Roku or an Apple TV, navigating the grid guide is smooth enough. But if you’re trying to use the built-in app on an older "Smart" TV from 2019, prepare for some lag.
One thing Hulu does better than YouTube TV is the integration of its on-demand library. If you miss an episode of a show and forgot to record it, there's a 90% chance it's already sitting in the Hulu library anyway. It’s a seamless blend of "what's on now" and "what's been on for the last twenty years."
Technical Requirements: Don’t Skip This
You need bandwidth. If you're trying to stream 4K live sports while your roommate is gaming and someone else is on a Zoom call, a 25 Mbps connection isn't going to cut it. You’ll see the dreaded buffering wheel right when the kicker is lining up for a field goal.
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I generally recommend at least 100 Mbps for a household that wants to rely entirely on Hulu + Live TV. Also, check your data caps. Some internet service providers (ISPs) still have those prehistoric data limits, and streaming live TV in high definition can eat through a terabyte of data faster than you’d think.
Why You Might Choose Hulu Over Competitors
There are really only three big players in this space: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo.
YouTube TV is probably the most "stable" app. Fubo is the king of sports. But Hulu wins on value for families. Why? Because of the bundle. Getting Disney+ and the entire Hulu on-demand library (including Hulu Originals like Only Murders in the Building) included in your live TV price is a massive deal. If you were going to pay for those anyway, the "effective" cost of the live TV portion drops significantly.
The Local Channel Mystery
"But will I actually get my local news?"
Usually, yes. But it’s based on your IP address and GPS. If you take your iPad to a different city, your local channels will change to whatever is local in that area. This is great for travelers but can be a headache if your ISP accidentally flags your home location as being three towns over. You can usually fix this in the settings, but you only get a certain number of "home location" changes per year. Be careful with that.
Hidden Features You Should Know About
Most people don't realize that Hulu + Live TV supports "Send to Screen" or AirPlay quite well. If you’re watching a game on your phone while cooking, you can flick it to the living room TV the second you’re done.
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Also, the "My Stuff" section is your best friend. Instead of hunting through the guide, just add your favorite teams or shows to My Stuff. The DVR will automatically grab every game or episode, and they’ll appear in a nice, neat row when you open the app. It's much better than scrolling through 100 channels to find out when the game starts.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, it depends on how much you watch. If you only watch two hours of TV a week, just buy a digital antenna for twenty bucks. You’ll get your locals for free forever.
But if you want the "lean back" experience—where you can just turn on the TV and have something playing in the background while you fold laundry—Hulu + Live TV is the closest thing to the old-school cable experience without the old-school cable headaches.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you’re still on the fence about whether you can get live TV on Hulu and if it's right for you, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check Your Local Channel Availability: Go to the Hulu website and enter your zip code. They have a tool that shows you exactly which local affiliates (ABC, NBC, etc.) and which Regional Sports Networks are available in your specific neighborhood. Don't guess. Check first.
- Audit Your Must-Have Channels: Make a list of the top five channels you actually watch. Most of us watch the same five things 90% of the time. Cross-reference that with the Hulu channel list.
- Test Your Internet: Run a speed test during "peak hours" (usually 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM). If you aren't getting at least 50 Mbps consistently, you might need to call your ISP before you cancel your cable.
- Start a Free Trial: Hulu almost always offers a 3-day or 7-day trial for the Live TV tier. Sign up on a Friday before a big sports weekend. See if the interface drives you crazy or if you love it. Just remember to set a calendar alert to cancel it if you hate it, because they will charge you the full amount the second that trial ends.
- Look at Your Existing Subscriptions: If you are already paying for Disney+ and "regular" Hulu separately, calculate the savings. You’ll likely find that the jump to Live TV is cheaper than you thought once you cancel those individual bills.
Switching to a live streaming service like Hulu is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get that first "clean" bill without all the hidden franchise fees, you won't want to go back.