What Hulu Premium includes
Hulu Premium is a paid streaming service that removes ads from the shows and movies you watch. When you pay for Hulu Premium, you get access to Hulu's full library of content — thousands of TV episodes, films, and original series — without commercial interruptions. The service streams to one screen at a time, meaning only one person in your household can watch at once.
Hulu Premium differs from Hulu's ad-supported tier, which costs less but shows advertisements during playback. Some newer shows and films are only available on the ad-free plan, so the content library itself is slightly larger on Premium. You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.
Hulu Premium does not include live TV or Disney+ or ESPN+. Those are separate add-ons you can purchase if you want them, or you can buy a bundle that combines all three services at a lower total price than buying them separately.
Key Takeaways
- Hulu Premium removes ads from all shows and movies, but only lets one person watch at the same time.
- Some newer content is only available on the Premium plan, not on the cheaper ad-supported version.
- You can add live TV, Disney+, or ESPN+ as separate paid add-ons, or buy a bundle that includes multiple services.
- Your subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
How to start a Hulu Premium subscription
To start Hulu Premium, go to Hulu.com and click the sign-up button. You will need to enter an email address and create a password. Hulu will ask for a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. After you enter your payment information, your subscription begins immediately and you can start watching right away.
If you already have a Hulu account with ads, you can upgrade to Premium by going to your account settings and selecting the Premium plan. Hulu will charge you the difference between what you already paid and the Premium price, prorated for the rest of your billing cycle.
Some people get Hulu Premium through a bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+, or through a phone or internet provider. If you subscribe through a third party, you manage your subscription and billing through that provider, not through Hulu directly.
What Hulu Premium costs
Hulu Premium costs vary depending on when you sign up and what promotions are running. The standard monthly price is higher than the ad-supported plan, but Hulu frequently offers discounted rates for new subscribers — sometimes for the first few months, sometimes for the first year. The exact discount changes regularly, so the price you see when you sign up may not be the price someone else sees.
If you buy the bundle that includes Hulu Premium, Disney+, and ESPN+, the total monthly cost is less than buying each service separately. You can also add live TV to Hulu Premium for an additional monthly fee, which gives you access to cable channels and local broadcasts.
Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month. You will be charged the full price unless you are still in a promotional period. If your promotional rate expires, Hulu will notify you before charging the standard price.
How to cancel or pause your subscription
You can cancel Hulu Premium anytime through your account settings on Hulu.com or through the Hulu app. Go to Account, then Subscription, then select Cancel Subscription. Hulu will ask why you are canceling and may offer you a discount to stay, but you are not required to accept. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep watching until that date, then your account closes.
Hulu does not offer a pause feature. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and then sign up again later. When you sign up again, you may be offered a promotional rate for new subscribers.
If you subscribed through a phone provider or other third party, you cancel through that provider's website or customer service, not through Hulu.
Watching on multiple devices and screens
Hulu Premium allows you to watch on one screen at a time. If someone else in your household tries to watch on a different device while you are already watching, their stream will stop and they will see a message saying the account is in use elsewhere. You can switch devices — stop watching on your phone and start on your TV — but you cannot watch simultaneously on two devices.
If you need to watch on multiple screens at the same time, Hulu offers an add-on called Premium + Multi-View that costs extra per month. This add-on lets two people watch different content at the same time on different devices.
You can download episodes to watch offline on the Hulu app on phones and tablets. Downloaded content expires after a set period, and you must be connected to the internet periodically to refresh your downloads.
Content available on Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium includes the full Hulu library: current-season TV shows from major networks, past seasons of popular series, films, documentaries, and Hulu's own original shows and movies. New episodes of many network shows appear on Hulu the day after they air on television. Some shows are exclusive to Hulu and do not air on TV.
Certain newer films and shows are only available on the Premium plan and do not appear on the ad-supported version. Hulu rotates its film library regularly, so movies come and go throughout the year. You can search the full catalog on Hulu.com to see what is currently available.
Hulu Premium does not include live sports, news, or entertainment channels unless you add the live TV option. It also does not include content from Disney+ or ESPN+ unless you buy those services separately or as part of a bundle.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you are having trouble signing in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. Hulu will send a reset link to your email.
If your video keeps stopping or buffering, the problem is usually your internet connection. Try moving closer to your router, restarting your device, or restarting your internet modem. If you are using an older device, it may not support the video quality Hulu is trying to stream, so try lowering the video quality in your account settings.
If you see an error message saying your account is in use elsewhere, someone else is watching on another device. You can either wait for them to finish, or sign out of all devices from your account settings and then sign back in on the device you want to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Hulu Premium account with family members?
Hulu's terms of service say the account is for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. In practice, people do share passwords with family members who live elsewhere, but Hulu can terminate accounts that violate this rule. If you want multiple people to watch at the same time, you need the Premium + Multi-View add-on.
What happens if I don't cancel before my free trial ends?
If Hulu offers you a free trial period, your subscription automatically converts to a paid subscription on the day the trial ends. You will be charged the full price unless you canceled before the trial ended. Hulu sends reminder emails before the trial expires, but it is your responsibility to cancel if you do not want to be charged.
Can I watch Hulu Premium on my smart TV?
Yes. Hulu has apps for most major smart TV platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Samsung, LG, and others. Download the Hulu app from your TV's app store, sign in with your email and password, and start watching. The video and audio quality depend on your TV and internet connection.
Does Hulu Premium include movies?
Yes, Hulu Premium includes thousands of films across many genres. The film library changes throughout the year as Hulu adds and removes titles. You can browse the full current selection on Hulu.com or in the app, and you can add films to a watchlist to keep track of what you want to see.
What is the difference between Hulu Premium and the bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+?
The bundle gives you Hulu Premium, Disney+, and ESPN+ all in one subscription for less than buying them separately. Disney+ has Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content. ESPN+ has live sports and original shows. If you only want Hulu, buy Hulu Premium alone. If you want all three services, the bundle saves you money.