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Hulu Live TV

Does Hulu + Live TV come with ads?

Does Hulu + Live TV come with ads?

What you need to know about watching commercials on Hulu + Live TV, and if there’s any way to go ad-free.

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
David Satin
•
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Hulu + Live TV on a TV screen in a living room, and details about its ad plans.

It feels like decades since streaming services refused to offer ad-supported plans, but for most, it’s only been a few years since they began offering ad-supported tiers. Hulu is an exception; Hulu originally launched as an ad-supported streamer, and only began providing ad-free service in 2015.

Hulu is now offered alongside a package of cable channels in a service called Hulu + Live TV, but what’s the ad situation on Hulu + Live TV like? Does the streamer come with ads, and is there any way to go ad-free? Find out everything you need to know here.

What you need to know about Hulu + Live TV ads

Does Hulu + Live TV have ads during live content?

Yes. Hulu + Live TV has a live TV channel package with more than 90 cable networks, including local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, sports networks like ESPN, FS1, TNT, and USA Network, news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MS NOW, and more. There are always ads during live viewing of these channels, and there is no way to remove them.

Does Hulu + Live TV have ads during on-demand content?

Yes, but there are different ways to avoid them. Any recorded content saved using the unlimited Cloud DVR feature that comes with Hulu + Live TV will include the commercials shown with that title while it was live, but viewers can fast-forward through these ads.

Hulu + Live TV plans starting at $90 per month also include access to Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select, and ESPN Unlimited through the ESPN app at no extra cost. Content from these streamers comes with ads at the $90 monthly price, but there are options for going ad-free for at least some of it.

What can you watch without ads on Hulu + Live TV?

Upgrading to Hulu + Live TV Premium will allow you to watch on-demand content from Disney+ and Hulu ad-free. Any on-demand TV shows or movies shown on these two platforms will be available commercial-free, and viewers will be able to watch them all through the Disney+ app.

Live content on ESPN or Disney+ platforms will still come with ads if you upgrade to Hulu + Live TV Premium. In addition, any live TV channels included with the Hulu + Live TV package will still come with ads, regardless of whether you’re using the Premium plan.

What’s the ad experience on Disney+ and Hulu like?

When we tested the ad experience on Disney+ and Hulu, we found the streamers had some of the more intensive ad loads of any service on the market. That may give Hulu + Live TV subscribers additional incentive to upgrade to the ad-free Premium tier.

Free 3-Day Trial
hulu.com

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.

…

Where it really separates itself is value. Your subscription doesn’t just cover live TV — it also includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library, plus bundled subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN Select content at no extra cost. That means you’re getting everything from next-day network TV episodes and Hulu Originals, to Marvel, Star Wars, and live sports content all in one place without juggling multiple bills.

For sports fans, Hulu + Live TV also includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select areas, a feature many competing services have dropped. That can be a big deal if you’re trying to follow local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.

The DVR experience is another strong point. Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content — a feature that used to cost extra but is now standard. It’s designed to feel closer to a traditional cable DVR, just without the box.

If you want to customize further, several add-ons are available. You can upgrade to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz, add an unlimited streams option for households with lots of viewers, or go ad-free on Hulu’s on-demand content (live TV will still include ads).

Overall, Hulu + Live TV is less about being the cheapest option and more about being the most comprehensive. It’s built for people who want live TV, on-demand shows, and bundled streaming services all under one roof — without having to piece everything together themselves.

Free 3-Day Trial
$89.99+ / month
hulu.com
David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.