If you’re used to having cable TV, there’s a chance you watch one of the major local channels in the US. Whether it’s ABC or CBS on in the background, there are key channels that some cable cutters deem necessary with an online streaming service.
On this page, discuss the local channels available on Hulu, along with all available regional sports networks (RSNs). Read on to find out which Hulu package you need to access local channels and what else is included with the monthly subscription plans.
In a hurry? Try one month for $76.99.
Table Of Contents
Local Channels on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers viewers access to the Big Four local channels, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. You also get other local channels and RSNs depending on where you are located.
The Hulu website has a network checker where you can enter your ZIP Code and see what channels are available in your area. Channels often vary from one ZIP Code to another, so if you desperately want one of the below, be sure to do your research on Hulu’s site.
The local channels available to watch for Hulu + Live TV customers pretty much everywhere:
The coverage of Telemundo and The CW is not as good. But this is mostly due to these channels not being as widely available at all.
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Local Channel Comparison To Other Streaming Services
Here’s a brief comparison of which other similarly priced streaming service plans give you access to the six local channels offered by Hulu’s live TV plan.
Note that the below availability includes all live TV plans from these providers. Not all channels will be available in all areas. Here is a comparison of Hulu + Live TV with Fubo, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV).
| Hulu | Fubo | Sling TV | DIRECTV | |
| ABC | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| CBS | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| FOX | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| NBC | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| PBS | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| The CW | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Telemundo | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Univision | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
YouTube TV provides similar local channel selection. Vidgo gives you access to ABC, Fox, and Univision.
Regional Sports Networks
In addition to over a dozen national sports channels, there are a total of seven regional sports networks available with Hulu + Live TV:
- Monumental Sports Network
- NBC Sports Bay Area
- NBC Sports Boston
- NBC Sports California
- NBC Sports Chicago
- NBC Sports Philadelphia
- SportsNet NY
RSNs are where local fans can watch all or almost all MLB, NBA, and NHL games. Many also cover WNBA teams as well.
See which regional sports networks are available in your ZIP Code.
Beyond Local Channels
In addition to its local and regional channels, the base Hulu + Live TV plan includes 80+ national channels. These are roughly what you would expect from a cable subscription: ACC Network, American Heroes Channels, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central Disney Channel, ESPN, Fox News, Fox Sports (FS1, FS2), Lifetime, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, SEC Network, TBS, TLC, and TNT.
You can also purchase extra channels. The Español add-on includes CNN en Español, Universo, and other Spanish-language channels. There are 14 channels in the Entertainment add-on including CNBC World, Cooking Channel, Discovery Family/Life, and Magnolia Network. And there are specific plans for HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz.
Get complete information on the channel lineup and add-on options in our Hulu + Live TV Packages guide.
Hulu On-Demand Library
Hulu is known for uploading titles to their on-demand content library as short as 24-hours after they air on live TV. There are more than 2,500 movies, series, and documentaries in the streaming library, so here’s a little insight on what you can expect.
Additionally, Hulu provides a lot of original content. These include direct Hulu Originals as well as FX on Hulu. Examples include Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs, The Girl from Plainville, The Handmaid’s Tale, Solar Opposites, Little Fires Everywhere, Shrill, and Sasquatch
Hulu’s selection of movies is nowhere near as vast as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, but there are hundreds to choose from. You may stumble across a classic James Bond movie or run into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mid-war face on your movie dashboard.
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How To Find Local Channels on Hulu
Once you sign up with Hulu + Live TV, you get access to a “Live” tab where you’ll find a channel guide. To find local channels like CBS or ABC, you have two options:
- Do a quick search for the local channel by name
- Click the “Search” icon in the top menu
- Type in the channel’s name (for example: “CBS”)
- Look for the channel in the results list — it will be labeled as a “Network”
- Manually browse the live channel guide to find your desired local channel
If you’re only browsing Hulu’s list of channels, you can find the entire selection on the website. You’ll be able to pick out the local channels by their logos.
If you’re a Hulu on-demand customer, you can upgrade to a Live TV plan in your ‘Accounts’ section.
To see if a local channel is available with a Hulu plan, use Hulu’s network and ZIP Code checker.
Some of these devices have specific model requirements to be able to support Hulu, so be sure to check whether your device is supported.
Wrapping Up
Hulu + Live TV provides cord-cutters with all the local channels they are used to with cable throughout the United States. There is no need to be tied to a cable subscription just to watch live TV from your local area.
See our Hulu Live TV review for more information. Try one month for $76.99.
FAQs
Does Hulu have local channels?
There are six local channels available on Hulu, subject to regional restrictions. Alongside the main four channels, namely, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as a Hulu + Live TV subscriber you get access to PBS, Telemundo, and The CW. Note that the latter three are available in far fewer regions than the main four.
Can I watch local channels on Hulu on-demand?
No, local channels on Hulu are only available with the Hulu + Live TV plan. The on-demand Hulu plan has a range of TV shows, movies, and documentaries with total titles of over 2,500. To get access to local channels on Hulu, you need to subscribe to the $76.99/mo plan. See this review of the Hulu + Live TV plan.
Does Hulu basic have local channels?
The base Hulu plan is on-demand and does not come with any live TV channels (local or otherwise. If you want to stream local channels with Hulu, you can get access to all six, given the availability in your locality, by subscribing to the Hulu + Live TV plan.
What devices can I watch local channels with Hulu + Live TV?
You can watch on the popular TV stick devices Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku as well as Chromecast either as a device or built into a TV. You can watch on Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, VIZIO, and Android TV-compliant units. Web browsers and Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) devices can be used. And you can use the gaming systems Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One.
See our Hulu + Live TV Device Guide for complete details.
How many screens can I watch local channels on via Hulu + Live TV?
The base Hulu + Live TV provides you with two simultaneous streams. This means you can watch two different channels on two different devices at the same time at your home location. You can get the Unlimited Screens add-on for $9.99/mo extra. It gives you unlimited screens at home and 3 others away.
Why are my local channels not working on Hulu?
If you are a Hulu + Live TV customer and are missing local channels, it’s most likely because of your present location. Your IP address informs Hulu’s servers about where you are located. If a local channel is restricted in that region or locality, you won’t see it in your Hulu dashboard. Use the ZIP Code checker to find out which local channels are included in your area.
Can you record local channels on Hulu?
You can record local and national channels with Hulu + Live TV. The base plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage. All recordings last for 9 months or until you delete them, whichever comes first. There does not appear to be a way to store them longer.
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