Independent guide Not affiliated with Hulu or The Walt Disney Company. Pricing and eligibility verified April 2026, subject to change. Always confirm at hulu.com before signing up.
Verified April 2026
Hulu + Live TV 3-Day Free Trial: What You Actually Get
It is 3 days, not 30. Most sites still show the old trial length. Here is the honest picture for 2026 - what you get, how to use 3 days well, and whether it is worth it.
Why is it 3 days, not 30?
Hulu reduced the Live TV trial from 7 days to 3 days several years ago. The on-demand Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) trials were separately extended to 30 days in 2026. The Live TV tier remains at 3 days because the primary revenue driver is monthly recurring billing - longer trials increase churn risk.
The 3-day window is genuinely tight. If you are evaluating Hulu + Live TV as a cable replacement, the best strategy is to time your signup around a major live event - a playoff game, a season premiere, or a weekend sports slate.
What is included in the Hulu + Live TV trial?
During the 3-day trial you have full access to all three services bundled with Hulu + Live TV.
Hulu + Live TV
95+ live channels including local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox affiliates, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, TNT, and more. Cloud DVR with 75 hours of storage.
Disney+ (With Ads)
Full Disney+ streaming library including Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and Disney animated catalogue.
ESPN+ (With Ads)
Live sports not on ESPN proper: NHL, MLB, UFC, college sports, PGA Tour, and ESPN exclusives. Separate app required.
Pricing after the 3-day trial
Hulu + Live TV (With Ads)
$82.99/mo
Hulu + Live TV (No Ads)
$95.99/mo
Live TV + Disney Bundle (With Ads)
$96.99/mo
Live TV + Disney Bundle (No Ads)
$109.99/mo
How to maximise 3 days
Three days is not enough to evaluate a cable-replacement service thoroughly unless you plan carefully. Here is how to use the window well.
1
Time your signup around a live event
Sign up on a Friday before a weekend sports slate - NFL playoffs, NBA postseason, MLB opening series, or a UFC card. You get 72 hours of live TV access including at least one full day of sports.
2
Test your local channels first
Go to hulu.com/live-tv and check which local ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates are available in your zip code. Channel availability varies by market - this is the most common reason people cancel.
3
Test the DVR immediately
Record something on Day 1. The cloud DVR has 75 hours of storage (upgradeable). Check that recordings work cleanly on the devices you plan to use.
4
Test on every device you use
Hulu + Live TV works on smart TVs (most brands), Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and web. Test on your actual setup - streaming quality and channel availability can vary by device.
5
Cancel before midnight on Day 3
The billing date is exactly 72 hours from signup. Cancel via secure.hulu.com/account. If you signed up via Apple or Google, cancel through that platform.
Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV vs Sling - trial comparison
If you are trying live TV services specifically to evaluate before committing, here is the full trial landscape. The right answer depends on which channels and features matter most to you.
Service
Trial
Monthly
Channels
Bundled with
Hulu + Live TV
3 days
$82.99
95+
Disney+, ESPN+
YouTube TV
5 days
$72.99
100+
None
Sling TV Blue
3 days
$45.00
40+
None
DirecTV Stream
5 days
$79.99
75+
None
For a detailed Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV breakdown, see our dedicated guide at hululivevsyoutubetv.com.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hulu + Live TV still have a free trial?
Yes, but only 3 days. As of 2026 the Live TV trial is 3 days, not 7 or 30. Many sites still show the old length.
What channels come with the Live TV trial?
95+ live channels including local ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, and more. Channel availability varies by zip code for local channels.
Does the Live TV trial include Disney+ and ESPN+?
Yes. Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) at no extra cost. Both are accessible during the 3-day trial.
How does the trial compare to YouTube TV?
YouTube TV offers a 5-day trial vs Hulu's 3 days. YouTube TV costs $72.99/mo vs Hulu + Live TV at $82.99/mo. YouTube TV does not include Disney+ or ESPN+. See hululivevsyoutubetv.com for the full comparison.