Author: Trafficblast

Streaming services have rocketed in popularity thanks to their convenience and affordability, and that trend is only continuing into 2021. Though the streaming market has only gotten more crowded, Hulu is still one of the biggest players. Hulu combines the best of entertainment worlds in one package, with subscribers gaining access to its ever-growing content library, brimming with original content, network shows, and classic movies. You’ve also got Hulu + Live TV as an appealing alternative to cable TV, letting you watch your favorite shows, sports, and other major events as they air.

As Hulu continues to expand, it can be difficult to keep track of the latest pricing changes or plan options. Here, we’ve detailed the current Hulu plans, channels, pricing, and other features to know about for 2021. Plus, see our guide to the best streaming services for a breakdown of how Hulu compares to its competitors in 2021.

How much does Hulu cost?

Hulu has two plans that exclusively offer on-demand content, starting at $5.99 per month for the base plan with ads. With this plan, you can access everything on Hulu’s on-demand platform like network shows, new movies, and original content. This cheap subscription is a great option for those on a budget, if you don’t mind getting ads. However, you can upgrade to Hulu’s ad-free plan for $11.99 per month–this is a good option for people who binge shows and watch a ton of on-demand content.

An alternative to cable TV, Hulu + Live TV gets you access to more than 65 channels as well as Hulu’s on-demand library for $64.99 per month–however, you’ll still have to sit through ads. (This price increased back in December from $54.99 per month.) If you’re willing to pay six bucks more, you can sign up for Hulu (no ads) + Live TV for $70.99 per month. Hulu’s live TV pricing is in line with other platforms like YouTube TV and fuboTV charge.

What plans does Hulu offer?

Figuring out the best Hulu package for you depends on your viewing preferences and budget. Here’s a quick overview of Hulu plans and pricing as well as their free trials and whether they include ads.

What is the Disney Bundle?

You can also bundle Hulu with other services. The Disney Bundle gets you Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, though you should note that the monthly price for this bundle is about to increase. Starting March 26, the Disney Bundle with ad-supported Hulu will cost $13.99 per month, while the Disney Bundle with ad-free Hulu will cost $19.99 per month. You can also get Hulu + Live TV with the Disney Bundle, which will cost $73 per month as of March 26. Note that this bundle includes the ad-supported version of Hulu + Live TV; there is currently no bundle with the ad-free version of Hulu + Live TV.

The Disney Bundle is a wise deal if you’re interested in all three services–you’ll get Hulu’s vast array of movies and TV along with exclusive Disney+ content like WandaVision and The Mandalorian. Sports fans will find a lot to love with ESPN+, which lets you watch live content from the NHL, UFC, the PGA Tour, and select college basketball games. You’ll also receive access to on-demand programming like ESPN’s popular 30 for 30 series.

What top channels does Hulu + Live TV have?

Hulu’s on-demand platform allows you to catch replays from all the hit shows from major networks like FOX, NBC, and ABC. You can also stream on-demand content from networks like AMC, Animal Planet, Comedy Central, the Discovery Channel, Freeform, FX, the History Channel, and much more. While you can catch replays of shows you missed, you’ll have to upgrade if you want to watch them live.

On the live TV side, Hulu offers over 65 channels in its base package. It’s a fantastic option for sports fans, as you gain access to five ESPN channels. You also receive the ACC Network, the Big Ten Network, the CBS Sports Network, two FOX Sports networks, the SEC Network, and the NBC Sports Network. Many of the sports channels like the Big Ten Network do not come in basic cable packages, so having them bundled with Hulu + Live TV is a great deal.

Hulu + Live TV is also family-friendly, offering content from the Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Universal Kids. The inclusion of TCM, FX, HGTV, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, TBS, and TNT ensures you have many movies and TV shows to whet your entertainment appetite. Meanwhile, avid news watchers have access to CNN, ABC News Live, CBS, FOX, MSNBC, and CNBC to stay in the know.

Hulu’s two Live TV packages don’t differ in the number or type of channels they offer. Instead, the live TV pricing difference lies on the on-demand side. With Hulu + Live TV, you’ll get ads, while Hulu (no ads) + Live TV lets you watch your favorite shows on demand without commercials.

What add-ons for premium channels and extras does Hulu + Live TV have?

Hulu offers a lot in the way of premium entertainment. Channels like HBO Max and Showtime can be added to any Hulu subscription, allowing you to watch original series and hit movies from other networks, but certain add-ons require you to have a Hulu + Live TV package. Below is a look at some of the many add-ons you can receive:

*Seven-day free trial included with premium networks

For families who frequently record and watch shows later, the Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on is a great one to consider. Hulu + Live TV comes with 50 hours of recording space, but with Enhanced Cloud DVR, you’ll have 200 hours of room. Best of all, with the enhanced DVR, you can fast-forward through commercials on your recorded content.

If you’re looking for more offerings, the Entertainment add-on unlocks access to even more content, including channels like Discovery Family, the Military History Channel, Crime + Investigation Channel, Destination America, DIY, Science, CNBC World, and the Cooking Channel. Meanwhile, the Spanish add-on is convenient for those who want Spanish livestreams. You’ll have access to channels like ESPN Deportes, NBC Universo, and much more.

The Unlimited Screens add-on can also be extremely useful, depending on how many people are watching Hulu on your account. If you have a large household with diverse viewing habits, having this feature will come in handy. Another nifty benefit: Three people can stream from their mobile devices, so you can easily watch Hulu while you’re on the go.

What about local networks on Hulu + Live TV?

If you want to watch local sporting events or your favorite network shows, you are in luck, as Hulu does offer local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, the CW, and FOX. However, the platform does not carry PBS.

To receive PBS, you can buy an HD antenna. Some of the most popular models include the Tablo DVR and HD HomeRun. With one of these models, you’ll be able to view broadcasts on all of your local channels, even if you decide to cancel Hulu + Live TV later.

Is Hulu right for you?

Hulu offers a huge variety of entertainment and multiple subscription options that give you flexibility in picking the right plan for you. The cheapest on-demand plan is a great choice for people on a budget and still gets you access to a great variety of content, while the Live TV packages offer an appealing option for cutting the cord. The ability to downsize at any time without penalty is also a plus. And with the many add-on features available, Hulu makes it simple to customize your viewing experience. Overall, the platform offers convenience and affordability, making it a smart choice for households interested in on-demand entertainment, live TV, or a mix of both.

While vaccines are rolling out and theaters are re-opening, movie studios are still figuring out where to place the pile of delayed movies they’ve stacked up over the last year or so, and are continuing to delay films despite the positive outlook. The latest film to get pushed back is Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Sony announced today that it has once again delayed Venom: Let There Be Carnage from its previous release date of June 25, instead releasing it on September 17. The Venom sequel will once again feature Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and the voice of the Marvel alien symbiote Venom. Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson will reprise their roles, with Harrelson stepping up from post-credits Easter egg to lead antagonist. Harrelson plays the part of Cletus Kasady, a serial killer who inherits a symbiote spawned from the original Venom symbiote, becoming Carnage. Naomie Harris is also rumored to join the cast as Shriek, a sound-based villain and ally of Carnage. Andy Serkis is directing.

Along with the delay of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Sony has also pushed back another film starring Woody Harrelson. Man From Toronto, which features Harrelson and Kevin Hart, was scheduled for September 17, but has been removed from the release calendar for the time being.

Venom released in 2018 and grossed $850 million worldwide, helping Sony launch the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (or SPUMC, as we like to call it). The film released to largely negative reviews, with our own review pointing out inconsistent CGI, shallow characters, and sidelined female characters despite being surprisingly funny and creative.

The M16 assault rifle is no stranger to the Call of Duty series. In this trip down memory lane, Richie Bracamonte takes you back through COD history to see it’s appearances and variants. From its early appearances in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, to Activision’s latest entry Black Ops Cold War, the M16 has been in more than a dozen games.

Through the decades, the in-game gun has kept up with its real-life counterparts. There have been updates from the base M16 such as the A1 and A4 variants. Although it’s known for accuracy, the M16 was mostly classified as an assault rifle until Black Ops Cold War, where it falls under the Tactical Rifle class. The M16 has gone back and forth between full auto and it’s infamous 3-round-burst firing style. While it makes little difference in COD’s story modes, this detail can change the entire meta of online gameplay.

Today, the M16 stands tall as one of the most iconic guns in the Call of Duty series. It always features high accuracy, a fast fire rate and slew of attachments that help its range and precision. If you can handle its kick and line up your shots will enough, the M16 will do all the heavy lifting. If you enjoyed this evolution, leave a comment for what you’d like to see next time!

Pokemon Through the Years

Actor Ralph Fiennes is the latest actor from the Harry Potter films to jump into the fire surrounding author J.K. Rowling and her stance on transgender rights. In an interview with The Telegraph, the actor came out in defense of the author whose books (and subsequent films) helped put his noseless face into the nightmares of countless children over the last two decades.

“I can’t understand the vitriol directed at her,” Fiennes said. “I can understand the heat of an argument, but I find this age of accusation and the need to condemn irrational. I find the level of hatred that people express about views that differ from theirs, and the violence of language towards others, disturbing.”

Rowling has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons since at least June of last year, when she commented on a story that referred to “people who menstruate,” a description meant to include not just people who were born and identify as women but also people who do not identify as women but still experience those functions. Amid backlash for the comments, Rowling doubled down with an essay that simultaneously acknowledged the heightened risk that trans people experience while also suggesting that enough of them could be predators that they shouldn’t be allowed into single-sex spaces for women.

Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have made statements in support of the trans community while also trying to deflect the idea that the support does not amount to a feud between the cast members and the author.

“Transgender women are women,” Radcliffe said in a statement. “Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.” Watson and Grint’s statements were similar in tone.

Meanwhile, the Harry Potter machine keeps cranking away at Warner Bros. because it’s one of the biggest properties in the world, and both a third Fantastic Beasts movie and a hotly-awaited Hogwarts-themed video game are on the way. The studios behind both have released statements distancing themselves from Rowling’s stance. WB Games stated that Rowling is not directly involved with the Hogwarts Legacy game, and that the story is not based on any new work from Rowling. Warner Bros., meanwhile, said that “the events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues. Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world.”

When you visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, you’re immersed in the world of the Mario games–and even get to track down some very fun Easter eggs. In fact, the theme park land’s two rides are based on the Mario Kart franchise and Yoshi, Mario’s dragon sidekick. The Nintendo-based fun doesn’t end at the park, though. In fact, the wearable Power Up Band that you can purchase in the park can also be used with your Nintendo Switch at home.

Power Up Bands allow you to interact more with the land while visiting–from punching coin blocks and finding Easter eggs, to tracking your score on the Mario Kart ride and fighting Bowser Jr. in a boss battle. However, the band also acts as an Amiibo for use with your Nintendo Switch.

“Super Nintendo World Power Up Bands were designed to also be Nintendo Amiibo by default,” Senior Director of Technology and Innovation for Universal Creative Tom Geraghty said in a statement. “This allows you to use your Power Up Band beyond Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. You can use your Power Up Band just like you would use any other Amiibo.”

What isn’t clear, exactly, is what this particular Amiibo will unlock on your Switch–or DS or Wii U if you are still using them. During a media event to celebrate Super Nintendo World’s opening, Geraghty teased, “You can put it on your Switch, and you’ll get a Princess Peach costume for the characters in your game or whatever.” We just don’t know what games, which particular costume, or if it’ll be exclusive to Super Nintendo World.

Beyond acting as an Amiibo, the Power Up Band will help keep track of the score you accrue during your visits to Super Nintendo World by syncing with an app. “The app has leaderboards,” Geraghty. And that leaderboard not only tracks your progress, but the progress of everyone else visiting. Their hope is that adding this competitive edge to Super Nintendo World will motivate users to make regular trips, lest they be bumped from the high school list.

And before you ask: No, there aren’t physical prizes for topping the leaderboards at Super Nintendo World. But having the bragging rights for having the high score at a theme park seems pretty cool.

Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Japan. Versions of the land are also in the works at Universal’s California and Florida parks.

Super Nintendo World has officially opened to the public at Universal Studios Japan, letting guests be fully immersed in the world of Mario, Yoshi, and other classic Nintendo characters. The featured attraction in the new theme park expansion, which is also coming to Universal’s parks in Florida and California, is a Mario Kart ride. That particular attraction also happens to house the land’s best Easter egg, an autograph from the creator of Super Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto.

While in the queue for the ride, which takes you through Bowser’s castle, you’ll encounter a massive painting of Mario’s primary antagonist. In the corner of the painting, you’ll notice it’s been signed by the Mario mastermind.

Speaking at a press event, Senior Director of Technology and Innovation for Universal Creative Tom Geraghty revealed how Miyamoto’s autograph became part of the ride.

“We’re walking Koopa’s castle in Japan, and there’s this big portrait of Bowser that he’s had installed of himself–because he has a healthy sense of self–at the end of the hall,” Geraghty remembered of showing Miyamoto the land for the first time. “And it’s not signed because it’s just a portrait or a prop or whatever. And we said, ‘Miyamoto-san, there’s no artist signature there.’ So we handed him a Sharpie and he signed it right then and there. Then we came back and clear-coated it. So you’ll find his signature on the artwork in the land which is a special moment for us.”

That’s not the only Easter egg you’ll find in Super Nintendo World. The creative team revealed that the land is loaded with them–some of which you’ll have to work to uncover. However, other nods that were revealed include Pikmin characters being hidden throughout the area and release dates for certain notable Nintendo games being etched into the pavement surrounding the entrance of the area.

Super Nintendo World is open at Universal Studios Japan now. Opening dates for the California and Florida expansions have not been revealed. However, Florida’s governor has said the state is expected to open its version in 2025.