With the streaming wars in full swing, it can be challenging to figure out which services to sign up for, or what benefits they offer. It feels like Hollywood studios come out with new platforms every week, whether Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, or even MGM+. Based on the plus signs in their name, they all may love math, but they won’t exactly help you budget for your entertainment needs — which is where Mashable’s watch guides and streaming app reviews come in.
After all, what better way to figure out which services are worth it than by hearing from the people who use them on the regular? We’ve tested the waters so you don’t have to (though in many cases, you can sign up for a free trial if you choose). This time, we’re running down the pros, cons, and costs of one of the OGs of the streaming industry: Hulu.
The site is available in the U.S. and Japan, though we’ll be detailing the American version.
What is Hulu?
Credit: Hulu
Launched just a few months after Netflix, Hulu has been around since October 2007, when it began as a joint venture between several companies, including NBCUniversal and News Corporation, though it’s now wholly owned by Disney. The site started as a place to watch recently aired episodes of your favorite TV shows, a function it still retains, though the app has since branched out with its own originals, including Shōgun, The Bear, and The Handmaid’s Tale, and even a live TV component as an alternative to cable.
Hulu has a nifty topic bar on every page that allows you to navigate between its major categories. You can go to “Movies” and “TV” — each offers a combination of Hulu Originals as well shows and films from elsewhere, with further options to sort by genre or network. There’s also a “My Stuff” button that lets you quickly access all the programming you’ve added to your queue. These features ought to be familiar if you’ve used other streaming sites, but Hulu also has an option called “Hubs,” which sets it apart from its competitors.
Where the “Movies” and “TV” tabs will categorize content by genre, Hulu’s specialized “Hubs” are more granular, since they divide films and shows by more specific points of origin. Some Hubs are studio or production company-specific, in case you’re in the mood for a film distributed by Neon or a show produced by FX. Other Hubs, meanwhile, are divided by country or culture, with options like “Black Stories Always” for African American voices, or “Hulu Has Pride” for LGBTQ+ stories. There’s also the “Hotstar” hub, named for the Disney-owned Indian streaming service, which grants viewers access to a whole library of Indian movies and shows in various languages.
How much is Hulu without ads?
Credit: Hulu
A Hulu ad-supported plan will run you $7.99 a month (or $79.99 a year), unless you’re a student, in which case you may be eligible for Hulu (With Ads) for just $1.99 a month once you verify your college enrollment. Also, if you happen to be Hulu-shopping during the site’s annual Thanksgiving sale, you may be able to snag a year-long subscription for as low as $0.99 a month if you’re a new subscriber. In the meantime, the Hulu (With Ads) tier offers a free seven-day trial so you can get the hang of things, though you’ll need to input a payment method and remember to cancel before the trial period ends if you don’t want to be charged.
The ad-free Hulu (No Ads) tier is a little more expensive, at $17.99 a month, but it’s a smoother, interruption-free experience without ad breaks during the episodes. The only downside is that some shows will still play with a few unskippable ads before the video begins.
Can you bundle Hulu with other streaming services?
Credit: Hulu
If you like to keep your streaming options varied, there may still be a way to cut costs, either through bundling Hulu with other apps, or through the streamer’s add-on services. Since Hulu is owned by Disney, the studio offers a number of bundling options with two of its other major streaming sites, Disney+ and ESPN+, with the following combinations:
Disney Bundle Duo Basic: Hulu (With Ads) and Disney+ (With Ads) for $9.99 a month
Disney Bundle Duo Premium: Hulu (No Ads) and Disney+ (No Ads) for $19.99 a month — you would need to purchase this one through Disney+
Disney Bundle Trio Basic: Hulu (With Ads), Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $14.99 a month
Disney Bundle Trio Premium: Hulu (No Ads), Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $24.99 a month
Hulu also recently added the option of bundling with Disney+ and the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Max for $16.99 a month, all of them with ads. However, if you’d rather sign up just for Hulu but still want to be able to customize your services later, you can not only switch between Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) in your account settings, but you can also add Disney+ and ESPN+ as Partner Add-ons, as well as Premium Add-ons like Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz.
How much is Hulu Live TV?
For prospective cable-cutters, Hulu has a Live TV Only option if you just want access to about 90 channels (depending on your zip code), though its $75.99 a month price point can’t compete with YouTube TV’s $72.99 or Sling’s various $40 to $55 tiers for live TV.
However, you can also bundle Hulu Live TV in a number of permutations with other services that might make it worth your while. If you want it with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all three with ads), then the monthly price is just a dollar more than the Live TV Only option, at $76.99.
That price tag goes up an additional $5 to $81.99 if you want your Disney+ without ads, and another $8 on top of that if you want to remove ads from the Hulu streaming service as well, meaning the most expensive tier — Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV with Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) — will run you $89.99 monthly.
Regardless of which tier or bundle you choose, you’ll have unlimited DVR storage, and can also pay to add various sports and entertainment networks as you please, in both English and Spanish.
Can you download movies on Hulu?
Credit: Hulu
Like most major streaming services, Hulu is available across every major smartphone, smart TV, gaming console, and tablet, with the option to download movies and shows on most mobile devices. However, you can only download content with a Hulu (No Ads) plan or bundle.
You can also watch downloaded content offline, and while downloads on Hulu have certain time restrictions, they’re easy to renew. Each file will remain valid for 30 days, and you’ll have 48 hours to complete a film or episode once you start watching, but after that, you can download it again with no hassle.
Is Hulu worth it?
All in all, while you may have better luck elsewhere with your live TV options, our verdict is that Hulu is worth the price if you decide to bundle it with other streaming services or take advantage of its annual sale in November.
Tiers and bundles as far as the eye can see. Let’s run down the pros and cons of a Hulu subscription.
The Amazon Marketplace: Empowering Sellers and Shaping Consumer Behavior
The Amazon Marketplace has emerged as a powerful force in the global economy, redefining how businesses operate and how consumers shop. Since its launch in 2000, Amazon Marketplace has grown into one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, with millions of sellers and an even larger base of customers. This platform has not only democratized e-commerce, providing opportunities for businesses of all sizes, but it has also significantly influenced consumer behavior. This article explores how the Amazon Marketplace empowers sellers and shapes consumer behavior.
Empowering Sellers: Opportunities and Challenges
The Amazon Marketplace has opened up unprecedented opportunities for sellers, from individual entrepreneurs to large corporations. One of the most significant benefits for sellers is the access to Amazon’s vast customer base. With over 300 million active users globally, Amazon provides a ready-made audience for sellers, eliminating the need for extensive marketing efforts to drive traffic to their products.
Lower Barriers to Entry
One of the most profound ways Amazon empowers sellers is by lowering the barriers to entry into the e-commerce space. Traditionally, setting up an online store required significant investment in website development, payment processing systems, and logistics. Amazon Marketplace simplifies this process by providing a platform where sellers can list their products, handle transactions, and even manage shipping through Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service.
FBA, in particular, has been a game-changer for many small and medium-sized businesses. It allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses, where Amazon takes care of packing, shipping, and even customer service. This service not only reduces the logistical burden on sellers but also ensures that their products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which can significantly boost sales.
Global Reach
The global reach of Amazon Marketplace is another significant advantage for sellers. With Amazon’s presence in numerous countries, sellers can tap into international markets with relative ease. Amazon’s Global Selling program enables sellers to list their products in multiple countries, allowing them to expand their customer base far beyond their home market. This global reach is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have the resources to enter international markets independently.
Data and Analytics
Amazon provides sellers with valuable data and analytics tools that can help them optimize their listings and marketing strategies. Through the Seller Central dashboard, sellers have access to detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and advertising performance. This data-driven approach allows sellers to make informed decisions about pricing, inventory management, and advertising, ultimately leading to better business outcomes.
Challenges for Sellers
However, selling on Amazon is not without its challenges. The competition on the platform is fierce, with millions of sellers vying for the attention of customers. To stand out, sellers must invest in optimizing their product listings, managing reviews, and running targeted advertising campaigns. Additionally, Amazon’s fee structure, which includes referral fees, FBA fees, and other charges, can eat into sellers’ profit margins, especially for those selling low-margin products.
Moreover, Amazon’s control over the marketplace means that sellers are subject to its policies and regulations. This can be a double-edged sword; while Amazon’s strict guidelines help maintain a level of quality and trust on the platform, they can also be restrictive for sellers. Policy changes, such as adjustments to fee structures or new regulations regarding product listings, can have a significant impact on sellers’ businesses.
Shaping Consumer Behavior: Convenience and Choice
The Amazon Marketplace has not only empowered sellers but also transformed consumer behavior in profound ways. The platform has become synonymous with convenience, choice, and competitive pricing, which are key drivers of consumer decisions.
Convenience and Speed
One of the most significant impacts of Amazon on consumer behavior is the expectation of convenience and speed. Amazon’s streamlined shopping experience, coupled with services like Amazon Prime, has set a new standard for online shopping. Consumers now expect fast, often same-day, delivery, easy returns, and a seamless shopping experience across devices. This has raised the bar for other e-commerce platforms and even brick-and-mortar stores, which have had to adapt to meet these heightened expectations.
The convenience offered by Amazon extends beyond just delivery speed. Features like one-click purchasing, personalized recommendations, and a user-friendly mobile app have made shopping on Amazon almost effortless. This ease of use has contributed to the platform becoming the go-to destination for many consumers, particularly for everyday purchases.
Broad Product Selection
Amazon’s vast selection of products is another factor that has shaped consumer behavior. The marketplace offers a seemingly endless array of products across virtually every category, from electronics to groceries. This extensive selection is possible because of the millions of third-party sellers who list their products on the platform, alongside Amazon’s own offerings.
This breadth of choice has shifted consumer expectations, leading to a preference for platforms that offer a wide variety of options. Consumers are now less willing to visit multiple websites or stores to find what they need, preferring the convenience of one-stop shopping. This trend has also put pressure on traditional retailers to expand their product offerings and improve their online shopping experiences.
Price Sensitivity and Competitive Pricing
Amazon’s pricing strategies have also influenced consumer behavior, making customers more price-sensitive. The platform’s dynamic pricing model, where prices can change frequently based on factors like demand and competition, encourages consumers to compare prices and seek out the best deals. Additionally, features like Amazon’s price tracking tools and the ability to view historical prices have made consumers more aware of price fluctuations and more likely to wait for discounts before making a purchase.
This increased price sensitivity has impacted the broader retail landscape, forcing competitors to adopt more aggressive pricing strategies to stay competitive. It has also led to the rise of price comparison tools and apps, further empowering consumers to find the best deals.
The Role of Reviews and Ratings
Amazon’s review system is another key factor influencing consumer behavior. Customer reviews and ratings have become a critical component of the decision-making process for many shoppers. Positive reviews can significantly boost a product’s visibility and sales, while negative reviews can deter potential buyers. This has led to a culture where consumers rely heavily on the experiences of others to guide their purchasing decisions.
The importance of reviews has also created a new challenge for sellers, who must actively manage their reputation on the platform. This has given rise to practices like review solicitation and even, unfortunately, fake reviews. However, Amazon has taken steps to combat these practices, implementing stricter policies and algorithms to detect and remove fraudulent reviews.
Conclusion
The Amazon Marketplace has had a profound impact on both sellers and consumers, reshaping the e-commerce landscape in the process. By empowering sellers with access to a global customer base, powerful data tools, and logistical support, Amazon has lowered the barriers to entry for businesses of all sizes. At the same time, the platform has transformed consumer behavior, setting new standards for convenience, choice, and pricing.
As Amazon continues to evolve, its influence on the global economy and consumer culture will likely only grow. For sellers, the challenge will be to navigate the complexities of the platform and find ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. For consumers, the Amazon Marketplace will continue to be a driving force behind the expectations and behaviors that define the future of shopping.
