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6.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: December 11th, 2024

Hulu (aka Hulu Plus) is a leading streaming TV service that offers live TV, live sports, Hulu original shows and movies, as well as classic and new offerings from top cable TV and premium channels. The company provides both ad-free and ad-supported subscription plans, a free 30-day trial for all packages, and the opportunity to bundle its streaming services with other streaming providers.

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The Good

  • Expansive Library of Movie Options and TV Shows
  • Ad-Free and Live TV Options Available
  • Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99 per Month
  • Premium Channels Available as Add-Ons
  • Student Discount for $1.99 per Month

Expansive Library of Movie Options and TV Shows

In addition to its growing library of Hulu original movies and TV shows, Hulu offers subscribers a formidable catalog from some of the biggest names in television, including 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Discovery Networks, and the following channel lineup:

  • ABC
  • Adult Swim
  • AMC
  • Animal Planet
  • BBC America
  • Bravo
  • CINEMAX (add-on)
  • CMT
  • Comedy Central
  • Cooking Channel
  • E! Entertainment
  • Epix Originals
  • Food Network
  • Freeform
  • Fuse
  • FX and FXX
  • HBO Max (add-on)
  • HereTV
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Lifetime
  • MTV
  • National Geographic
  • Science
  • SHOWTIME (add-on)
  • STARZ (add-on)
  • SYFY
  • TBS
  • Telemundo
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • USA
  • VH1
  • WGN America

In most cases, subscribers can gain access to newly aired episodes of their favorite shows the day after they air. All streaming content is available through the Hulu app, available via mobile device, computer, or smart TV.

Ad-Free and Live TV Options Available

Each of Hulu's subscription plans offer the first month free. After that, subscribers could pay anywhere between $5.99 to $64.99 per month, depending on their subscription plan:

  • Hulu ($5.99 per month) — full access to streaming library via TV, laptop, phone, or tablet; supports up to six user profiles and simultaneous streams on two devices.
  • Hulu (No Ads; $11.99 per month) — all the features of the standard Hulu plan, plus no ads or commercials, as well as the ability to download and watch content for offline viewing.
  • Hulu + Live TV Plan ($64.99 per month) — no cable required to access more than 65 live channels as well as a live TV guide; record live TV with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage.

Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99 per Month

Hulu customers have the option to bundle Hulu's streaming services with Disney+ and ESPN+ for only $12.99 per month (still cheaper than Netflix and as expensive as Amazon Prime). This streaming bundle gives users access to Disney's complete library, including the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, as well as ESPN's full 30 for 30 series, along with live sports channels.

Premium Channels Available as Add-Ons

For an additional fee, Hulu subscribers can add premium channels like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and STARZ for hit movies, series, and documentaries. For Hulu + Live TV subscribers, add-ons come with unlimited screens, enhanced DVR storage, entertainment add-ons, and Español add-ons.

Student Discount for $1.99 per Month

Active college students qualify for Hulu's student discount, which reduces the cost of the ad-supported plan ($5.99 per month) down to $1.99 per month. Students should note, however, that Hulu does not provide a free trial on its student discount option.

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The Bad

  • Ads and Commercials

Ads and Commercials

The only drawback to Hulu's basic plan is the presence of commercials. These usually only play at the beginning of episodes or movies; however, for newly aired episodes, short ads will play periodically throughout the show. If customers wish to enjoy their viewing experience without ads, they can opt for the ad-free version which is comparable to other ad-free streaming services like Netflix in price.

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The Bottom Line

With Hulu, a subscriber can gain access for original content, a live TV streaming service, and thousands of viewing options for as little as $5.99 per month. Users should be prepared to pay more for an ad-free viewing experience, and about about much as they would for any other live streaming service. The ability to bundle with other streaming platform services like Disney+ and ESPN+ offers customers a unique viewing library, and the free trial, cancel anytime policy allows users to try Hulu risk-free.

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Star Rating

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4.4

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668 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

30%

3 grade

12%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

3%

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Quality

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RennetteG

I'm very happy to have Hulu Plus Live TV. I enjoy having all the networks in one place that I watch regularly - including having ESPN+ to watch international soccer matches. When I had to call Customer Service on two different occasions the people were very nice and helpful. They were able to walk me through each step I needed to take to make sure I had the proper set up for my account. The only disappointment has been the increase in price but since cost on everything else have gone up due to inflation it's not surprising that the monthly Hulu rate went up also. Before I end this review I just want to add that I really love the Hulu original series "Murder in the Building".

3 days ago

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Alex

Hulu Plus is one of my major streaming entertainment. With a lot of shows and movies, I always find something to watch, whether it's the latest episodes or classic favorites. The user interface is easy to use, and I appreciate the option to create personalized profiles for each of my family member. The ability to watch on multiple devices constantly is a huge plus too and it is affordable price.

6 months ago

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Verified Customer

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Sondra Menthers

Fantastic content especially for minority communities. Lots of black shows, Muslim, women and LGBTQ themed shows. Hulu also creates create original content from books such as The Handmaids Tale and Little Fires Everywhere.

4 years ago

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Adalberto Rodriguez

Hulu has been stepping up their game lately with all the new exclusive movies they have been putting out. Don’t stop with the amazing content. It’s so affordable and anytime I have a problem customer service takes care of it quick!

7 months ago

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David Los Angeles, CA

I love Hulu plus they keep me up to date with my favorite shows, College makes my life busy, and I am not always able to do what I want to do (watch my favorite shows) but Hulu plus allows me to watch my favorite shows when I get time. I also have the awesome commercial free option for $12 ( which now has tax as well, sadly). But it is definitely a investment for me each month. Television keeps me going, and thinking. Hulu plus has a pretty extensive variety!

10 months ago

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Kaylee Gay Chicago, IL

Hulu Plus goes the extra mile for its viewers because it allows you to keep up to date on the latest episodes for your favorite TV shows. I love that I can watch all of my favorite TV shows with no wait time. on their new episodes. I also love that when I was first trying it out, Hulu Plus gave me a 30-day trial to see if I wanted to make a switch. I love that they gave me so much time to decide and I love that they have such a variety of selections. I also love that you can watch Live TV as well. Hulu Plus is definitely with the cost because they give you so many options, no wait time on your latest episodes, and Live TV. I love that it is like cable and streaming service at the same time.

3 years ago

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Jeff

Somewhat expensive for what you get. I would expect to have less commercials for a site I am paying for. Movies you can stream that are not live should not have commercials at all.

5 months ago

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Zayden Dumas

As one of the most known live TV streaming services, Hulu + Live TV is undeniably a service most people can get behind. Hulu + Live TV now comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ which is great for every member of the family.

6 months ago

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Verified Customer

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Darren Cardwell

Hulu offers many shows that I have watched. I've been pleased with the offerings. I've been happy with my Hulu subscription. Only wish they offered more to view at the same time.

4 years ago

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Sierra Jo Smith Pomeroy, WA

Hulu impresses with its top-notch shows and the flexibility of its plans. From critically acclaimed originals to popular series, their content library shines. With customizable subscriptions, you can find an affordable option that suits your needs. The user-friendly interface enhances the overall viewing experience. Hulu remains a top choice for quality entertainment.

1 year ago

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Kevin Ortiz

I’ve had Hulu plus for over nine years. It was the only way I was able to truly cut cable company court. In recent years is has been a struggle since most of the catalogs from major networks have moved to their own platforms, such as Peacock, Fox, and many others. I do like that they have many of the classics in terms of fun, sitcoms, and reality TV shows. They have lost many of the shows that aired on the next day from the original air date, which was one of the features that I truly enjoyed. I am also very excited for their Black Friday promotions year after year

1 year ago

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Kimberly Smith Chicago, IL

I Am A Fan Of Hulu , Hulu Plus ...Anything Hulu!! Wide Variety of Things To Choose From.....I Never had any buffering or connection issues. The Price is fair and somewhat lower when compared to other streaming services. I was invited to try Hulu for 99 cents and was extremely satisfied with the invitation price and glad I decided to try the service. It is Now my "go to" streaming service. If you havent tried Hulu I recommend that you should..I was pleasantly surprised and Am Now a loyal subscriber!! 2 Thumbs Up!

2 years ago

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b. ellena Kansas City, MO

I used to love Hulu for the price alone. However, that was back in the day when there wasn't much programming on the platform... so you kind of got what you payed for. Then they started adding some great shows and kept the price relatively low, but as all good things do... this too had to come to an end. The pricing is no doubt fair for what you are getting content wise. Now that Hulu is running with the big dogs for market share it will be interesting who decides to keep what platform! I have faith in you Hulu! Keep bringing us the new hits and we'll stay loyal!!

2 years ago Edited September 8, 2022

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Dan Ford Redwood City, CA

I'm a big fan of Hulu Plus. I signed up for Hulu Plus + Live 12 months ago when I cut the cord with my cable company. I pay 1/2 as much for TV content and don't need to wade through dozens of foreign language channels I'll never use. Interface takes a little getting used to as it takes a few seconds for content to buffer to appear. Also enjoy their produced content (e.g. Dopesick) and being able to access the service from anywhere I go.

2 years ago

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Brittney Mac Gregor Louisville, KY

I've come back to Hulu after years of using a different streaming company. I have to say I am impressed with the content available. At first I was using the cheapest version to test the waters, but now that I see I am going to be keeping Hulu around, I splurged and upgraded to commercial free. I highly recommend Hulu. I will never go back to standard cable TV again.

3 years ago

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KimDugan Kailua, HI

Hulu Plus is probably just a half-pace behind Amazon Prime and here is why: - No rental options - It's a rather bewildering freemium model with a little less "free" all the time. This comes with the territory, but is worthy of mention nonetheless. Hulu Plus is developing its own set of originals and adding collections of off-network television shows that keeps me coming back. I have Hulu Plus but not the premium-premium account, so I still have to watch commercials and I don't have access to all of the content. As a member of whatever this tier of membership is called, I keep coming back because they have "30 Rock", "Modern Family" and, most importantly, "Malcolm in the Middle." If it weren't for these off-network shows and their original, "PEN15", it might have been a goner for me. I use Hulu Plus to fill the gap of the shows that have been pulled from Netflix and ultimately, I am doing the same "stream chasing" that everyone else is doing. It is of some benefit that Hulu is bundled with Disney+ or I might never have jumped over to that one. Lastly, the interface is a little frustrating. It is much more cumbersome to navigate than Netflix and details are harder to see than on Amazon Prime. Use this service if you want to keep your viewing options of older off-network shows that aren't available on other platforms.

3 years ago

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R. Florez North Highlands, CA

I have a complicated relationship with Hulu ! I love the LIVE feature, especially during football season. BUT it's priced very high, so during the "off season" we switch back to a regular plan. I don't like how many features are limited in the regular plans. Also, our app tends to "glitch" a lot and we get error messages saying "error, cannot be played at this time". Hulu w/ Live has everything we like but I just can't justify the cost month to month, especially since after paying for internet, the cost is more than cable.

3 years ago

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Caloway Salt Lake City, UT

Hulu is a great streaming service that has many great shows. One of the better services is that they will have shows on there that are currently airing on TV so if you can't watch it on TV, then you can watch it on Hulu the next day. That is how I keep up with my favorite shows. They also have good movie options and TV shows. I haven't seen too many of their Hulu Originals but I have heard many good things about them.

3 years ago

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Ellinor Gray Orem, UT

Great service, Great Selection and 100% worth paying for no commericals. Allows for multiple profiles so you don't lose your place in shows due to other household members watching. Their selection is a higher caliber then Netflix with both depth and comprehension. Only complaint I have is I wish they offered a choice of 4 viewing screens rather then just two or unlimited (each has its own price point). Also had some issues where their online services flagged IP adress as having a proxy when it did not and made the service un-usable without clearing it with their help desk. Otherwise I have loved this service and would pick it over any other streaming service out there.

6 years ago

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Annie Hickey

Hulu is a good company. They carry things that are sometimes hard to find on other streaming channels. That's one of the bonuses of using them. There are several shows on there I love to keep up with and binge watch.

8 months ago

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Verified Customer

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Bdt1999

They have a wide variety of shows and movies. It's easy to find something to watch, and it's easy to go back to where you left off.

4 years ago

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Amani Patel Harrisonburg, VA

Very much worth the cost! The selection of movies and shows is so comprehensive and I love the ability to watch without ads. I feel like I'm getting what I pay for with all the options available!

10 months ago

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Hope Miami, FL

Hulu plus it's build for streaming the whole wold. I benefited from enjoying football macth, comedy, videos from tv. So it has made me and my family to hear and be connected on a certain company in US.

10 months ago

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Johnnie Robinson

Great movies. Great monthly prices. Can watch on the go!

1 month ago

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Peter Fidelis Los Angeles, CA

My worries are always gone when ever I remember that I got my Hulu plus bundle intact + having that wide variety of content and features that enhance my streaming...all I need is just a chill bottle of drink and some snacks to keep me going while I stream..

1 year ago

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Kelsey Conner Wilmington, NC

Hulu Plus is a staple in our household! Everything from Hulu originals like The Kindred to family classics like Full House are available on the platform, which we love. It's affordable compared to most streaming services, and we love it!

1 year ago

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Jerry Bentonville, AR

Just starting Hulu plus about 5 months ago, and love it. Used to have satellite service and whenever the weather was bad I would loose service. Now with Hulu the only time you loose service is when electricity goes out. And that is very rare. So Hil is worth the price I pay

1 year ago

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C B La Puente, CA

Where do I even begin, Hulu does not disappoint! Their shows are extremely entertaining, especially if you love to watch the Kardashians, you got it all here! I’m currently watching The Purge show, ooof I recommend, it is intense!

1 year ago

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Teresa Bills

I enjoy a lot of the shows and there are some great movies. I would recommend Hulu to anyone that doesn't already have the service. Why would you not. It's priced right and streaming through Hulu you get so much more then some other services. Also they have ad free service which is so wonderful. I really get tired of ads sometimes. If you don't have Hulu, go get it!

1 year ago

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Amanda George IL

Definitely 4 stars. Would give 5 if they didn't have such expensive subscriptions. They have live TV and premium on top of the basic features. Basic is nice if you wanna watch series airing on TV because they put them in there at 3am the next morning, but the premium features cost way more and are not worth it. They raise their prices again and I will cancel

1 year ago

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Nini

I love streaming movies and tv shows with friends and family. Hulu has some of the best variety of TV shows available. They seem to be updating fairly recently plus you can watch a good amount shows currently on air and including prior seasons. Their movie selection is also pretty good - though that doesn't seem to be the focus.

1 year ago Edited July 17, 2023

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CHARLES DIAL Mount Gilead, OH

Love Hulu+, I need to renew my subscription when I get out of the hospital. But there's always something to watch and enjoy. They are easy to comunicate with and answer any questions or concerns. Great streaming service. 2 👍👍

1 year ago

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Rita Hopkins Austin, TX

Many options and add ons. Can be used on different devices and locations. I have control over what my grandson son can be exposed too. I love my playlist options. I actually got my rate lowered for being a long time member. So I love the rewards.

1 year ago

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Debbie Hall Las Vegas, NV

This is a great streaming channel with content, originality, and content. I find quite a bit to watch on this streaming service with channels I enjoy. The original content is great, and I watch quite a bit. Also, I appreciate the series that are available that only stream 1-2 seasons. There are British series to select from as well.

2 years ago

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TTall Milton, FL

I’ve been with company for 4 years and there has only been 1 price increase. I have the no adds plan and absolutely love it. I record all new shows and watch during the week. I probably watch Hulu 70% of the time. Keep up the good work

2 years ago

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Mario Martin Montgomery, TX

After using mainstream cable and sat. services, I was encouraged by my daughter's to make the switch to Hulu plus. Initially I was hesitant because I didn't know much about Hulu plus and was reluctant to losing some of my viewing choices. Fortunately, not only was I able to reduce my cable and sat. rates considerably, I was able to retain my favorite channels and expand my viewing choices with quality programming...did I mention for less than I had been paying monthly for years!?

2 years ago

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Wendy Shaw New Haven, CT

Hulu Plus is so much more then Live streaming!! I can watch full seasons of my favorite past shows, current episodes, Hulu Originals , old movies and new hit movies!!! My kids love the Disney + and my husband loves ESPN+...All around win win for whole family....

2 years ago

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Connor Smith Palm City, FL

I have been with Hulu streaming for a few years now, I love how I am able to watch my TV shows the same day they are aired that night night when I get home or the next day, so that I am able to stay up with my shows. I love that I am able to just get it up on my TV and start watching.

2 years ago

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Noa Ranoa Vista, CA

You've gotta pay a little extra and go Plus. I went Plus for sports, Cinemax and ESPN. The movies on Hulu are great and plenty but if you need daily news and sports... GO PLUS. Hulu plus is not part of Amazon Prime, so you won't get it free. $65.00 for over 75 channels is pretty incredible.

2 years ago Edited December 22, 2021

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Nashali Vescovacci Fort White, FL

I love this company to stream movies and TV shows. I especially love that they add new episodes to their shows soon after they air, so that we don't have to wait for the entire season to come out at the end like other streaming companies. I also find the "Hulu watch party" to be very convenient.

3 years ago

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Makayla Holland Gaithersburg, MD

I love Hulu , i am constantly watching movie, tv, live streams all the time. But for certain shows they will tend to show a ad every 10-20 mins which starts to get irritating. But other than that the prices are bad and I’ve never had any problems with the app.

3 years ago

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Mia Alshami Fayetteville, AR

I love the service that Hulu provides! I especially love the fact that TV shows that are currently airing are uploaded to Hulu almost immediately after they air on television! My family and I all love Hulu for its wide variety of TV shows and movies that are easily accessible to us!

4 years ago

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Lizzy Puentes Tallahassee, FL

Hulu is such a good streaming network for tv shows and movies. The episodes of most shows are uploaded the next day from when they aired so you are able to catch up right away. The movies are a little outdates but there is still a wide variety. There is also a plan to not have any commercials that is not pricey.

4 years ago

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Zac Cannon Long Beach, MS

My wife and I use Hulu Plus (w/Live) and it is our only way of watching TV now. We have completely cut the cable and we are now saving 100s of dollars in cable bills now since we only stream with internet now. I don't think we will ever go back to cable or satellite!

4 years ago

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Stephanie Byrd Tallahassee, FL

I am absolutely obsessed with Hulu. Hulu is one of the top streaming applications. It surpasses the rest because it offers live services and streams up to date movies and television shows. Online television can not get any better. Not to mention, this is very affordable.

4 years ago

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Jeremy Balls Kaysville, UT

I paid for several different streaming services, but Hulu is the one I use most. They have the most TV series, with most available the next day. Their movie selection is not the best. Lacks parental controls. I would recommend paying a few dollars more, so you can skip the advertisements.

5 years ago

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Nichole Davidson Sandy, UT

I use Hulu more for TV shows and they often have shows the day after they air on TV so you don't have to wait for the entire season to be released. Not all network shows are on Hulu, but there's still a good selection. I haven't had great luck with movies on Hulu as I do with Netflix. I also was frustrated that the lowest paid service still had commercials. Boo.

7 years ago

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Susan Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

We have used Hulu for years now and love it. It is probably tied for our most used television programming. We use Hulu for TV shows, and Netflix for movies mostly. I love that Hulu has all the old shows I grew up on and keeps up with all of the new shows I like on TV.

7 years ago

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Jonny Hancock Draper, UT

I have the commercial-free Hulu package and it's definitely worth it. I really like that I can keep up with current shows as they come on each week instead of having to wait until the entire season is uploaded. However, shows are frequently removed after a certain amount of time, which makes it difficult to go back and watch previous seasons or episodes.

7 years ago

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Aubrie Z. Riverton, UT

I really like being able to watch my shows the day after they air. I like being able to watch them without having to have cable. I also enjoy that it keeps current with the seasons that are airing on tv. That said, I don't like when I can't watch a certain show without having a subscription to network. I pay for a Hulu account so that I don't have to watch cable tv. I wish that seasons would stay on Hulu so that if you missed some you can go back and watch it. I also wish that paying for it meant that I didn't have to watch so many adds. Hulu is nice and convenient, when it is. That's why I gave it a 7.

9 years ago