Although Hulu does offer a wide array of content including Inde films, Anime, and Classic movies, TV series still remain the prime focus. Hulu’s original shows such as ‘The Mindy Project’, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, and ‘Difficult People’ have also been well-received by the audience, urging the company to produce more original shows in the future. However, if you’re subscribed to Hulu Plus for watching popular shows from other TV networks, you’ll be stoked to know that Hulu’s content owes its availability to the company’s deal with as many as 200 TV channels! Its obviously not possible to list all of them down here but we’ll give you the bass tracks on some of the most sought-after channels (in alphabetical order):
List of Hulu Plus Channels (Hulu Networks)
1. ABC
Owned by Disney-ABC TV Group, a subsidiary of Disney Media Networks which itself is part of the Walt Disney Company, ABC or the American Broadcasting Company is perhaps the most inveterate of all the Hulu channels mentioned on this list. It forms an important part of the American TV network trio called ‘The Big Three” alongside CBS and NBC with shows like Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars, and Shark Tank under it’s wing.
2. AMC
Often confused with AMC Theatres, the AMC TV Channel is an ancillary channel of AMC Networks. Initially, this channel was called “American Movie Classics” as it mainly showcased movies but more than a decade ago, it was rebranded to AMC as it began airing original TV series like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and more recently, The Walking Dead.
3. A & E
Formerly branded as Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E TV is a subsidiary of A&E Networks, founded as a joint venture of the Hearst Corporation and Disney-ABC TV Group. Memoir, biography, drama, and documentary will surely appreciate this addition of this channel on Hulu’s platform. A&E also broadcasts a few reality shows including Behind Bars: Rookie Year, Cold Case Files, Fit to Fat to Fit, and Married at First Sight.
4. Animal Planet
Owned by Discovery Communications, Animal Planet is an educational/informative TV channel and as the name suggests, it features shows surrounding the Animal Kingdom. Some of its well-liked shows are Puppy Bowl, River Monsters, Meerkat Manor, and The Most Extreme. These shows also elucidate the human-animal liaison. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best Hulu channels.
5. Anime Network
A ‘streaming only’ channel, Anime Network is solely dedicated to Anime shows, mainly targeting children as well as adults who love Japanese-style animation. Even though it is currently only broadcasted online, it is not available worldwide. Apart from Hulu, it can also be accessed on DirecTV, Buckeye CableSystem, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks for free. Some of the hottest titles attached to this network are Majestic Prince, Hakkenden, Angel Beats, and Ushio and Tora.
6. BBC
Headquartered in London, BBC, short for the British Broadcasting Company, is the longest-established national broadcasting company in the world. Although it has quite a few subsidiaries, BBC Worldwide and BBC America are currently available on Hulu. These channels are specially curated for the American audience. BBC Worldwide airs shows like Atlantis, Sherlock, The Mighty Boosh, and Gavin & Stacey whereas BBC America had been created in collaboration with AMC Networks and features shows like Orphan Black, Broadchurch, and the Game.
7. Cartoon Network
Owned by Time Warner, one of Hulu’s stakeholders, Cartoon Network predominantly broadcasts kids’ shows which are mostly animated. Some of its earliest originals include Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, and Dexter’s Laboratory. These shows achieved skyrocketing popularity worldwide and became a huge part of every 90’s kid’s life. More recent shows include Ben 10, Mighty Magiswords, Clarence, and We Bare Bears.
8. CNN
Short for Cable News Network, CNN is owned by Turner Broadcasting System, which is a subsidiary of Time Warner. You maybe surprised to know that CNN was the first only-news channel in America that aimed at providing news round the clock. Its content hinges on political themes, current affairs in the U.S., World News, and latest headlines from Asian countries. A few of the shows on this Hulu Channel to have received immense praise and attention include State of the Union, Anderson Cooper 360°, Inside Politics, and CNN Breaking News.
9. Comedy Central
Owned by the Viacom Global Entertainment Group, an adjuvant of Viacom, Comedy Central showcases both, original as well as syndicated comedy shows and feature films. It boasts of a fairly wide reach with presence in North America, Asia, parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Despite being castigated by the Parents TV Council on multiple occasions, Comedy Central has gained popularity for broadcasting shows like South Park, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Roast, Nathan for You, The Half Hour, and How I Met Your Mother.
10. Discovery Channel
Formerly known as “Discovery”, Discovery Channel is part of Discovery Communications and is available in most of the nations worldwide. It primarily broadcasts content based on human evolution, technology, environment, history, and science including intriguing documentaries as well as well-produced series. The most popular ones include Dual Survival, Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, Naked and Afraid, MythBusters, and Shark Week.
11. Disney Channel
Owned by the Walt Disney Company, Disney Channel chiefly caters to children and young adolescents between the age group of 9-16 years while its subsidiary Disney Junior is targeted at younger kids who are 8 years old or younger. Aside from broadcasting kid-oriented films like High School Musical 2 and the Cheetah Girls, Disney also features shows like Phineas and Ferb, Girl Meets World, Gravity Falls, Star Wars Rebels, and Jessie.
12. ESPN
ESPN is essentially a sports channel based out of America that was established by The Walt Disney Company and the Hearst Corporation. It has many subsidiaries including ESPN2, ESPN3, and ESPN News. This channel is known for broadcasting games including soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Other than broadcasting live matches, ESPN also hosts sport-related talks and documentary-styled sports shows. It has received adoration for its programming of shows like First Take, Around the Horn, SportsNation, and Mike and Mike in the Morning.
13. Fox
Part of the 21st Century Fox Network, FOX TV channel served as the only strong contender against the Big Three Networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) almost three decades ago when it was first introduced to the American audience. It quickly went onto becoming the fourth most acknowledged channel in the U.S. and is best known for broadcasting shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, Gotham, 24: Legacy, Prison Break, New Girl, and reality series like Hell’s Kitchen and So You Think You Can Dance.
14. Hulu Originals
Initially established as a streaming service offering syndicated shows and selective movies, Hulu ventured into in-house TV production in 2011. One of the very first Hulu originals that rapidly gained popularity are The Morning After and Battleground. Thanks to the amazing response from the subscribers, Hulu churned out more high-quality originals like The Path, Casual, Deadbeat, and 11.22.63.
15. Lionsgate
Lionsgate TV is a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment and is known for broadcasting both, syndicated, as well as original shows. Some of its original series are co-produced in association with other networks like AMC, Showtime, Syfy, ABC Family, FX, and NBC. The most popular ones include Wildfire, Greenleaf, Guilt, Nashville, Orange is the New Black, and Anger Management.
16. MGM
Acronym for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM is an Entertainment company based in America that produces and distributes television shows as well as full-length movies. Some of the movies that were initially released and broadcasted by MGM are Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Skyfall, Moonstruck, Thelma & Louise, and Poltergeist. Some of its TV programming include shows like Off to See the Wizard, Fame L.A., The Outer Limits, and Harry’s Girls.
17. National Geographic
Better known as Nat Geo, the National Geographic TV channel is owned by 21st Century Fox Network in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Similar to Discovery or History channel, this TV channel broadcasts educational/non-fiction television series based on subjects entailing Science, culture, nature, and History. Its sister channel, Net Geo Wild showcases television programs surrounding the animal life. Some of the most notable shows on this network include Brain Games, Wicked Tuna, Ultimate Factories, Life Below Zero, and Border Wars.
18. TLC
Owned by Disney Communications, TLC owes its acclamation to reality series hinging on themes like lifestyle, travel, personal stories, and family life. The channel has expanded to many countries including Switzerland, UK, Norway, Netherlands, India, South Korea, and South Africa. Some of its most popular shows include Say Yes to the Dress, Cake Boss, 19 Kids and Counting, and Sister Wives.
19. VH1
An important unit of Viacom Media Networks, VH1 is a U.S. based channel that airs music videos (old and new) as well as reality series based on musical themes that showcase lives and struggles of famous music artists. Some of shows that adorn its programming library include Love & Hip Hop, Black Ink Crew, Hit the Floor, and Basketball Wives.
20. Warner Bros
Owned by Time Warner, Warner Bros. TV is one of the most renowned networks in America that was launched way back in 1955. Today, its considered to be the largest TV production enterprise in the entire world, in terms of its library and revenue. Looney Tunes, The Bugs Bunny Show, Lethal Weapon, and Tom and Jerry Show are some of the most lauded shows on this channel.
Hulu Plus Channels List
Final Words So it was all about Hulu channels. Hulu also has acquired streaming rights from several other networks like MTV, Paramount TV, Nickelodeon, and Syfy. If Hulu Plus TV networks aren’t enough, subscribers can now also upgrade to Hulu Live TV to enhance their TV viewing experience by tenfold.
