Hulu + Live TV vs Spectrum TV: Prices, Channels and Which Costs Less

Hulu + Live TV and Spectrum TV both give you live channels, local networks and sports, but they're priced and packaged very differently. Hulu + Live TV costs $99.99 a month after a $49.99 first-month offer that ends October 26, 2026, while Spectrum TV plans start at $40 a month when you have Spectrum Internet. Here's how they compare in October 2026 and which one is likely to cost you less.

Hulu + Live TV vs Spectrum TV at a glance

Prices are as advertised in mid-October 2026 and can vary by location. Taxes, equipment charges and any local fees can vary by address and package.

What you get with Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV includes more than 100 live channels, Hulu's on-demand library, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN Select (With Ads) for $99.99 a month. Upgrading to ad-free Hulu and Disney+ costs $109.99. Sports fans get ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NFL Network and MLB Network, plus ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in many markets and NBC Sports regional networks in select areas.

Unlimited DVR is included, and recordings are saved for up to nine months. You get two streams at once and up to seven profiles, and you can watch on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, computers, phones and tablets. There's no cable box and no installation visit. Add-ons include a Sports pack with NFL RedZone, an Entertainment pack, an Español pack, premium channels like HBO Max and STARZ, and Unlimited Screens.

The current deal lets new and eligible returning subscribers pay $49.99 for the first month. It ends at 9 a.m. PT on October 26, 2026, and current Hulu, Disney+ or ESPN subscribers may not qualify. Our page on the Hulu + Live TV $49.99 first-month deal has the details.

What you get with Spectrum TV

Spectrum offers several streaming TV packages. Its official October 2026 pages list TV Lite with 85+ channels, Stream TV Signature with 150+, Stream TV Pro with 160+, Stream TV VIP with 230+, TV Latino with 45+ and Stream TV Latino Más with 170+. Spectrum advertises its lowest-cost TV streaming option from $40 a month with Spectrum Internet and Stream TV Signature at $100 a month. Prices for the other tiers, equipment and local fees depend on the address and current offer, so confirm the checkout total before ordering.

Qualifying Stream TV Signature, Pro and VIP plans include Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Unlimited, HBO Max Basic With Ads, Paramount+ Essential, Peacock Premium with Ads, AMC+ with Ads, discovery+, FOX One and ViX Premium with ads. Tennis Channel is added with Pro and VIP, while STARZ is added with VIP. Activation of the included apps may be required, and existing subscriptions may need to be managed separately.

Which one costs less?

It comes down to which channels you need and what you already pay for internet:

• You already have Spectrum Internet and want basic live TV: Spectrum's entry streaming-TV offer starts at $40 a month with Spectrum Internet. Confirm the exact package name, channels and any DVR or equipment charges for your address before ordering.
• You want Disney+, Hulu and ESPN in one package: Hulu + Live TV at $99.99 includes all three plus unlimited DVR. Spectrum advertises Stream TV Signature at $100 a month, but equipment and local charges can change the checkout total.
• You're not a Spectrum Internet customer: Hulu + Live TV works with any internet provider, so you can pick the best broadband deal at your address and stream over it.

Before you switch, compare your full monthly bill, including internet, equipment, DVR, taxes and fees, and confirm how long any quoted promotional rate lasts. Our Hulu + Live TV vs DIRECTV STREAM comparison covers another option.

Internet speed for live TV streaming

Whichever you choose, streaming live TV runs on your home internet. Hulu recommends at least 8 Mbps for live TV, and a household that streams on several TVs at once will want 100 Mbps or more. If you're in an area without cable or fiber, satellite internet can still stream live TV, and Viasat downloads through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps, while upload speeds can reach 3 to 5 Mbps. Our Spectrum provider page lists Spectrum Internet plans by area.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Hulu + Live TV in October 2026?

Hulu + Live TV is $99.99 a month with ads, and that includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN Select (With Ads). New and eligible returning subscribers can get the first month for $49.99 through 9 a.m. PT on October 26, 2026. The version with ad-free Hulu and Disney+ is $109.99 a month.

How much is Spectrum TV?

Spectrum advertises its lowest-cost TV streaming option from $40 a month with Spectrum Internet and Stream TV Signature at $100 a month. Its official lineup lists 85+ channels for TV Lite, 150+ for Signature, 160+ for Pro and 230+ for VIP. Confirm the exact package price, equipment and local charges for your address.

Which is cheaper, Hulu + Live TV or Spectrum?

It depends on your bill. If you already pay for Spectrum Internet, Spectrum's entry streaming-TV offer starts at $40 a month with Spectrum Internet, which is less than Hulu + Live TV's $99.99. If you'd need Spectrum's Signature tier or higher to get your channels, Hulu + Live TV's price is close and already includes unlimited DVR, Disney+ and ESPN Select.

Does Hulu + Live TV include DVR?

Yes. Hulu + Live TV includes unlimited DVR, with recordings kept for up to nine months. Spectrum DVR availability and pricing depend on the package and address, so check the current order summary.

Does Spectrum TV include Hulu?

Select Spectrum Stream TV plans include apps like Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Unlimited, HBO Max Basic With Ads, Paramount+ Essential and Peacock Premium with Ads. That's the on-demand Hulu app, not Hulu + Live TV, so check exactly what your plan includes.

Do I still need internet if I switch to Hulu + Live TV?

Yes. Hulu + Live TV streams over your home internet, so you'll keep paying for a broadband plan. Call 1-877-697-2926 to compare internet plans at your address before you switch.