Hulu combining its two iOS apps, merging live TV streaming with on-demand

The change log for version 5.5.1 of Hulu with Live TV advises the streaming media company will combine the two Hulu-branded apps in the near future. The move will effectively give its users one single app to access all of the Hulu services, including both the Internet TV offering and its on-demand streams.

"We will soon unify the two Hulu apps currently available in the Apple App Store, Hulu with Live TV and Hulu, into one great on-demand and live TV viewing experience," the notice reads. While not an immediate change, Hulu states it will let users know "when this happens for good."

A splash screen will be added to the Hulu with Live TV app when the transition occurs, warning users of the change and encouraging them to download the main Hulu app. The Hulu with Live TV app continues to be functional, allowing users to continue using it for the time being, and has received some improvements to menu transitions and navigation, as well as adding the option to change the formatting of closed captions.

Hulu with Live TV launched in May for $43.99 per month without commercials, $39.99 with, allowing users to watch live TV on iPhones, iPads, and the fourth generation Apple TV. As part of the plan, 50 live and on-demand channels, and thousands of on-demand titles associated with the channels, including live feeds from ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, and other networks.

The service can be used on up to two screens at a time, with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage also provided as part of the subscription. Users can boost the screen count to unlimited displays in one house or to 200 hours of DVR programming with commercial skipping for $14.99 per month each, or $19.98 for both add-ons.

Hulu also offers an on-demand service excluding live television streams for $8 per month, with both services accessible from within the same app when the unification takes place.