Hulu stands at a crossroads in 2026. With 55.5 million paying subscribers and a content library spanning next-day network TV, award-winning originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only, Murders in the Building, plus live television with 95+ channels, the Disney-owned streamer has carved out a unique position in the cord-cutting landscape. But here’s the headline everyone’s talking about: the standalone Hulu app is shutting down in 2026, with all content merging into Disney+.
Whether you’re weighing a new Hulu subscription, considering the Disney Bundle, or wondering what this merger means for your existing Hulu account, this guide breaks down every Hulu plan, the real subscription cost, and exactly how the transition works. The streaming wars are consolidating, and understanding your options now means smarter decisions later.
Hulu Plans and Pricing 2026
Hulu’s pricing structure gives you two main paths: on-demand streaming or the full Hulu + Live TV experience. Here’s what every Hulu plan costs as of January 2026.
*A handful of shows still have brief ads due to licensing agreements. Live TV broadcasts always include ads.
The annual Hulu subscription saves you about $24 compared to paying monthly for the ad-supported tier. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, Hulu doesn’t offer annual billing for its premium plans, which is a notable gap for subscribers who prefer paying upfront.
š Quick Facts
- Subscribers: 55.5 million
- Founded: 2007 (launched 2008)
- Owner: The Walt Disney Company
- Content Library: 7,250+ titles
- Free Trial: 30 days (on-demand plans)
- Profiles: Up to 6
š¬ Top Hulu Series
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Bear
- The Kardashians
- Tell Me Lies
š± Hulu App Devices
- iPhone, iPad, Android
- Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV
- Samsung, LG, Vizio Smart TVs
- PlayStation, Xbox
- Chromecast, Web browsers
Which Hulu Plan Should You Choose?
š° Hulu (With Ads)
$11.99/mo
Best for: Budget-conscious viewers
- Full streaming library access
- Next-day TV episodes
- Annual option saves $24/year
- Student discount: $1.99/mo
ā Hulu (No Ads) ā Most Popular
$18.99/mo
Best for: Binge-watchers who hate interruptions
- Ad-free streaming experience
- Offline downloads included
- 45% of Hulu users choose this
- Same full content library
šŗ Hulu + Live TV
$89.99/mo
Best for: Cord-cutters who want live channels
- 95+ live TV channels
- Includes Disney+ and ESPN
- Unlimited Cloud DVR
- Local channels in most markets
Hulu Disney Bundle Options
The Disney Bundle remains one of the best values in streaming, combining Hulu with Disney+ (and optionally ESPN) at significant savings. With the standalone Hulu app merging into Disney+ later this year, these bundles are becoming the default way to access Hulu content.
*ESPN content includes ads regardless of bundle tier.
Premium Add-Ons for Hulu
Hulu subscribers can stack additional premium channels onto their subscription. Current Hulu add-ons and their prices include Max ($9.99/month with ads, increasing to $10.99 on January 15, 2026), Cinemax ($9.99/month), Paramount+ with Showtime ($12.99/month, increasing to $13.99 on January 15, 2026), and Starz ($10.99/month). These additions appear on your Hulu bill, making account management simpler than juggling separate subscriptions.
How to Sign Up for Hulu
Creating a Hulu account takes about two minutes. Here’s the sign-up process for new subscribers.
- Visit hulu.com or download the Hulu app on your streaming device.
- Select your plan. Choose between standalone Hulu, a Disney Bundle, or Hulu + Live TV.
- Create your Hulu account. Enter your email address and create a password.
- Enter payment information. Add a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Hulu gift cards are also accepted.
- Start your free trial. New subscribers get 30 days free on on-demand plans. Your Hulu free trial begins immediately.
To activate Hulu on a smart TV, visit hulu.com/activate on your computer or phone and enter the code displayed on your television screen. This links your Hulu account to your device without typing credentials using your TV remote.
How to Cancel Hulu
Need to unsubscribe from Hulu? The cancellation process is straightforward, though the steps vary slightly depending on how you originally signed up.
- Log into your Hulu account at hulu.com (cancellation must be done via web browser, not the app).
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select “Account.”
- Scroll to “Your Subscription” and click “Cancel.”
- Confirm cancellation. Hulu may offer a discount or pause option before finalizing.
- Access continues until billing cycle ends. Your Hulu subscription remains active through your paid period.
If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, Roku, or Amazon, you’ll need to cancel through that platform’s subscription settings rather than directly on Hulu.
š Internet Speed Requirements
- 3 Mbps: Standard definition
- 8 Mbps: 720p HD streaming
- 16 Mbps: 1080p Full HD
- 16+ Mbps: 4K content (where available)
- 25 Mbps: Hulu + Live TV recommended
š Hulu Customer Service
- Hulu Phone Number: 1-888-265-6650
- Hours: 24/7 support available
- Live Chat: help.hulu.com
- Email: support@hulu.com
- Avg Wait: ~3 minutes by phone
What’s New on Hulu: January 2026
Hulu’s January lineup delivers returning favorites and fresh originals. Here are the Hulu new releases worth streaming this month.
JAN 9
A Thousand Blows S2
Boxing drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight returns.
JAN 13
Tell Me Lies S3
Lucy and Stephen’s toxic relationship continues. Hulu Original.
JAN 21
The Beauty
Ryan Murphy’s body horror thriller with Evan Peters. FX on Hulu.
JAN 7
The Rookie S8
ABC’s cop drama returns. Stream next day on Hulu.
JAN 8
Kevin Costner’s The West
Docuseries exploring American frontier history.
JAN 1
Predator Collection
All five Predator films including Prey (2022).
Hulu Live TV Channels
Hulu + Live TV delivers 95+ channels, making it the second most popular live TV streaming service behind YouTube TV. The Hulu Live package includes major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox), cable favorites (ESPN, FX, HGTV, TNT), and local channels in most markets.
šŗ Featured Hulu TV Channels
- ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox (local)
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
- FX, FXX, FXM
- CNN, MSNBC, Fox News
- TNT, TBS, USA Network
- Bravo, E!, HGTV, Food Network
- Disney Channel, Freeform
- History, A&E, Lifetime
ā Hulu + Live TV Includes
- Disney+ subscription included
- ESPN subscription included
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage
- 9-month DVR recording storage
- Full Hulu streaming library
- Live sports: NFL, NBA, NCAA
- Local channels (most markets)
The 2026 Disney+ Merger: What Happens to Hulu?
This is the biggest change in Hulu’s 18-year history. Disney has confirmed the standalone Hulu app will shut down sometime in 2026, with all Hulu content fully absorbed into Disney+. Here’s what current and prospective subscribers need to know.
šØ What the Hulu Shutdown Means
- The Hulu app disappears. You’ll access all Hulu shows and movies through the Disney+ app.
- Content isn’t going away. Hulu Originals, next-day TV, and licensed content remain available.
- Standalone subscriptions continue. You can still buy Hulu-only access, but you’ll use Disney+ to watch it.
- Hulu + Live TV also moves. Live television integrates into Disney+ later in 2026.
- No exact shutdown date yet. Disney says the Hulu app remains available “well into” 2026.
- Profiles should transfer. Disney has indicated viewing history and profiles will carry over.
The merger makes strategic sense for Disney: operating two separate streaming apps creates redundant costs, and bundling everything under Disney+ simplifies the consumer experience. But longtime Hulu subscribers are understandably anxious about navigating a redesigned interface and potential pricing changes during the transition.
Is Hulu Worth It in 2026?
ā Pros
- Next-day access to ABC, NBC, Fox shows
- Award-winning Hulu Originals
- $1.99/month student discount
- 30-day free trial available
- FX content hub exclusive
- Disney Bundle value
- 4K streaming on all plans
ā Cons
- App shutting down in 2026
- Only 2 simultaneous streams
- No annual option for No Ads tier
- Hulu + Live TV pricing ($89.99+)
- U.S. only (with limited Japan access)
- Interface reliability issues reported
š vs Competitors
- Netflix: $7.99-$24.99/mo
- Disney+: $9.99-$15.99/mo
- Max: $9.99-$20.99/mo
- Peacock: $7.99-$13.99/mo
- Prime Video: $8.99/mo
- Paramount+: $7.99-$12.99/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hulu Have a Free Trial?
Yes. New subscribers to Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads) get a 30-day Hulu free trial. Hulu + Live TV offers a shorter 3-day free trial. You won’t be charged until your trial period ends, and you can cancel anytime before then. The student discount does not include a free trial.
Is There a Hulu Student Discount?
Yes, and it’s one of the best in streaming. Eligible college students pay just $1.99/month for Hulu (With Ads), an 83% discount off the regular $11.99 price. Verification is handled through SheerID, and the discount continues as long as you remain enrolled at a U.S. Title IV accredited institution. The Hulu student discount cannot be combined with bundles.
Can I Buy a Hulu Gift Card?
Yes. Hulu gift cards are available at retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon in denominations from $25 to $100. To redeem a Hulu gift card, visit hulu.com/gift and enter the code on the back. Gift card balances apply to your subscription cost until depleted.
Does Hulu Have a Yearly Subscription?
Only for the ad-supported tier. The Hulu annual subscription costs $119.99/year for Hulu (With Ads), saving about $24 compared to monthly billing. The Hulu (No Ads) plan and all Hulu + Live TV plans are monthly only, with no yearly subscription option currently available.
Can I Download Hulu Shows and Movies?
Yes, but only on Hulu (No Ads) and Hulu + Live TV plans. The ad-supported plan does not include Hulu download capability. You can download select Hulu movies and shows to watch offline on up to 5 mobile devices. Downloads expire after 30 days or 48 hours after you start watching, whichever comes first.
Does Hulu Have Anime?
Yes. Hulu anime selection includes popular series like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Spy x Family, Naruto, and My Hero Academia. New episodes of currently airing anime often arrive same-day or next-day on Hulu, though the library isn’t as extensive as dedicated platforms like Crunchyroll.
Is Hulu Shutting Down?
The Hulu app is being discontinued in 2026, but the service itself continues inside Disney+. All Hulu content, including originals, next-day TV, and Live TV, will be accessible through the Disney+ app. Disney has not announced an exact shutdown date, stating the Hulu app will remain available “well into” 2026.
Is There a Hulu Military Discount?
Hulu does not currently offer a dedicated military discount. However, service members may be able to access Hulu through carrier promotions or Disney Bundle deals. The student discount is not available to non-students, including military personnel, unless they are enrolled in an eligible college program.
How Does Hulu Compare to YouTube TV?
Both offer similar channel counts (95+ for Hulu, 100+ for YouTube TV) at comparable Hulu prices ($89.99 vs $72.99/month). Hulu’s advantage: the Disney Bundle inclusion (Disney+ and ESPN) adds significant value. YouTube TV’s edge: more simultaneous streams (3 vs 2) and wider sports network coverage. For pure live TV, YouTube TV wins on price; for overall streaming value, Hulu + Live TV delivers more content.
Last updated: January 2026. Hulu plans and prices subject to change. Visit hulu.com for current subscription cost and plan details.