Hulu Live TV now available for streaming on Mac via web browser

Hulu on Wednesday released a web version of its Live TV plan, granting Mac and PC users access to live TV streams previously constrained to set-top boxes and mobile apps.

Announced in a blog post, Hulu notes the new web service is a "basic version" of what the company plans to roll out over the next few months.

Hulu is considering all aspects in building a "finalized" web experience, including input options, keyboard interactions and responsive pages. The final product is expected to be completely different from the experience users see on set-top streamers and mobile devices.

While Hulu works toward that goal, it is offering early web access to live TV subscribers. Rolling out now, the browser version of Live TV lets viewers browse live content from more than 50 channels, check what shows are up next and search for specific content. Like its dedicated app counterparts, access to on-demand TV shows, movies, Hulu original content and premium add-ons like HBO, Cinemax and Showtime is included.

Customers can also open and watch multiple content streams in their browser. As an example, Hulu notes football season is coming up, meaning Mac and PC owners can tune in to games from ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, SEC Network, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network or local ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels.

According to Hulu, web playback is available without a plugin or extension on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft's Edge browser and Internet Explorer 11.

The release of Hulu Live TV for the web comes on the heels of news that the company will soon combine its two branded iOS apps, the main Hulu title and a separate Live TV app, into a single offering. The move will further integrate Live TV, which launched in May, with Hulu's standard on-demand catalog.

6 Comments

applesauce007 1702 comments · 17 Years

About 7 years ago

That's nice but I already have DirecTV Now and it totally rocks!
Someone should do a thorough comparison between the live tv streaming services...

jeffzacharias 15 comments · 11 Years

We love Hulu Live TV, but with Apple TV and iPad Pro, I really don’t see watching this on a Mac.

vmarks 762 comments · 21 Years

Someone should have advised Hulu to not screw up their app this badly for streaming on demand users. Things like viewing a list of episodes in a series are 5 interactions from the top level. It's pretty awful.

jcs2305 1340 comments · 11 Years

vmarks said:

Someone should have advised Hulu to not screw up their app this badly for streaming on demand users. Things like viewing a list of episodes in a series are 5 interactions from the top level. It's pretty awful.

I couldn't agree more. It's a shame because Hulu has a lot to offer ( including some channels I can't get with Vue ). I am currently on a promo price for the limited commercials option. I just can't get used to how tedious it is to navigate. I really would like to combine my current service with the live option, but I can't bring myself to do it with the interface like this.

zroger73 787 comments · 13 Years

vmarks said:

Someone should have advised Hulu to not screw up their app this badly for streaming on demand users. Things like viewing a list of episodes in a series are 5 interactions from the top level. It's pretty awful.

Most definitely. Since the Apple TV app updated a few months ago, I've stopped using it because it took far too much effort to find anything. Now, the same, AWFUL update came to my iPhone and iPad. Hulu never had the "best" interface, but now it's orders of magnitude worse and is nothing more than an exercise in frustration. I simply cannot believe such a horrible interface actually made it out of testing or focus groups. It's truly dreadful. Methinks Hulu is going to have to revert QUICKLY to avoid an avalanche of unsubscribers - I'm one of them.