How to Watch Hulu on Your TV in 2020

If you’re a serious cord cutter but still want access to your favorite TV shows, Hulu offers a strong library with on-demand channels, as well as thousands of shows and movies. You can use it on your computer and mobile devices, but to stream it from your TV, there’s a little extra step you have to take. In this guide, we’re going to show you how to watch Hulu on your TV so you can make the most out of its service.

Hulu streams first-run episodes of your favorite shows from traditional networks like ABC, Fox and NBC. It also has a growing lineup of exclusive original content — like The Handmaid’s Tale, a multiple award-winning drama — among other notable films and content from other cable outlets. 

Not only that, there is Hulu’s live TV service that has more than 50 included channels, taking on Sling TV, AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now), PlayStation Vue and YouTube TV. It even offers a seven-day free trail, so you can try out the experience before committing to a future plan. This makes Hulu easily one of the best video streaming services around. 

How to Watch Hulu on Your TV

Hulu is U.S.-based, so you can’t legally access it outside the country. From its knowledgebase, Hulu makes it clear that it doesn’t intend for anyone else other than members of a single U.S. household to use its service. However, you can use a virtual private network to access Hulu from outside the U.S.

Hulu’s blocks are more difficult to circumvent than the Netflix VPN ban. This is because it offers popular TV show episodes a day after they’ve aired on major networks — or even live — if you have the right subscription. The TV shows’ distributors are particular about showing the content to only U.S. customers. 

With a VPN, you can tune in to your favorite shows whenever they’re aired, from anywhere in the world. Not only that, it secures your connection and effectively masks your identity online.

Our best VPN for Hulu picks allow you to install the VPN on multiple devices, including routers, so you’ll not only be secure while streaming Hulu, but also protect yourself while doing anything else.

Like Netflix, there are several methods you can use to watch Hulu on your TV from the comfort of your living room, besides using an internet browser. These include using a smart TV like Android TV, a gaming console like Xbox, casting device like a Roku, or connecting a laptop to your TV via an HDMI cable.

Hulu’s device list page includes more information about supported devices and features, which is a good place to start if you’re not sure if your setup will support the program. Chances are you’ll find at least one that you already own on the list. Let’s explore these methods individually.

How to Watch Hulu on a Smart TV

Smart TV operating systems automatically connect to your WiFi or Ethernet network, so you can access, manage and view online content from Hulu and other services. If you have one, you don’t need anything extra in your cabinet to help you watch Hulu on your TV.

Some smart TVs have built-in applications, like Hulu and others, in their hard drive, so you can simply log in to your account and watch your favorite flicks in no time. If yours doesn’t have Hulu, you can download an app to make it work, but Hulu is best used with its dedicated app.

How to Watch Hulu with a Gaming Console

Video game consoles can be used for a lot more than just playing games. They can play Hulu on your TV, too. To do so, you can set up your Microsoft Xbox 360 or Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, or Sony PlayStation 3 and 4 and find the Hulu app before streaming content.

Although this isn’t the best option to watch Hulu on your TV, it comes in handy if you own one and don’t want to get an Apple TV or a Chromecast. The only hassle is having to type anything from your controller.

How to Watch Hulu With a Casting Device

A casting device or media box can be any device you plug into your TV’s HDMI port. These include devices like Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. If you’re interested, we also have a guide on how to watch Netflix via Chromecast.

All these can help you watch Hulu on your TV by letting you cast videos on your TV or use a built-in app you can browse through from your screen. For this guide, though, we’ll focus on using Chromecast and Roku.

How to Watch Hulu on Your TV With a Laptop

The last option is the old-fashioned way, which is to plug a laptop into your TV and start watching Hulu videos.

Most high-definition TVs have HDMI ports, so you’ll need an HDMI cable and output port on your laptop to watch Hulu on your TV. However, if your laptop only has a VGA or DVI port and your TV only accepts HDMI cables, you have to buy a VGA or DVI converter that can use the HDMI port on your TV.

Final Thoughts

Hulu has lots of notable films and other content to offer. Sadly, though, only U.S. residents can access it. However, with a VPN, you can be anywhere in the world and still enjoy great shows, like Difficult People, Saturday Night Live, Marvel’s Runaways and more.

All the methods mentioned above can help you watch Hulu on your TV. We recommend watching on a smart TV because it’s the easiest to set up. If you don’t have a smart TV, gaming console or a casting device, you can still make it work with the good old laptop and HDMI cable method.

Before you start binging on your favorite series, be sure to check out the articles in our streaming archive, where we walk you through what streaming is and how to do it securely while watching content around the web.

Do you enjoy watching Hulu on a big screen? Let us know in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading.