Entertainment
How to get rid of ads on Hulu for free
Getting rid of ads on Hulu for free will be dependent on your subscription and the content you watch.
Overview
Hulu is one of the more popular paid-subscription video-on-demand streaming services in the United States. The service is so popular that Hulu reportedly had over 45.3 million subscribers by the end of 2021, and this number was inclusive of its Live TV streaming subscribers.
However, the service does have its glitches. In this regard, a frequently asked question is about the presence of ads when you are a Hulu Ad-free subscriber. To resolve the matter, there are two easy ways to get rid of ads for free on Hulu, which we share below.
What Is Hulu?
Hulu was launched and introduced into the market in 2007. The platform offers a wide selection of on-demand films and television shows from the NBC Universal franchise, as the studio is a minority shareholder.
Moreover, since The Walt Disney Company is the platform’s major shareholder, it is home to channels like ABC, FXX, and National Geographic, with popular television shows including Pam & Tommy, Reservation Dog, and Mrs. America.
The paid subscription service has two payment plans, the prices of which can vary depending on optional add-ons, like Hulu Live TV.
How To Get Rid Of Ads On Hulu For Free?
Before sharing these steps, it is important to highlight the reasons for this phenomenon, especially if you are subscribed as a Hulu Ad-free subscriber.
The first reason might be that you are watching via Hulu Live TV, which means that the ads cannot be removed because the show or movie in question is streaming in real-time. This includes shows or movies that have been recorded via DVR.
Secondly, Hulu indicates that, depending on which program or film you are watching, you might be exposed to ads even if you are an Ad-free subscriber.
This is a result of the different agreements that Hulu has with the studio or production house to host their movie or series.
As a result, some shows might include promotional content, whether it is during the episode or at the beginning or end of the content in question. Hulu has created a list of shows in this category and a list of shows that are not.
However, if the aforementioned is not the case, below are free and easy ways to remove ads if you are a Hulu Ad-free subscriber.
1. For Hulu on the PC
If you have a personal computer and you want to remove the ads from your Hulu for free, whether on a laptop or otherwise, below are the easy-to-follow steps to remove ads from disrupting your binge-watching. You will need to:
- Visit Hulu
- Log in and select “Account” from the upper-right corner
- Select “Your Subscription”
- Click “Manage”, which is next to the “Add-ons” tab
- Select the “Switch Plans”
- Change the preference to “No commercials”
- You will need to click on “Review Changes” at the bottom of the screen to ensure the change is implemented
- Upon selecting the option, Hulu will review if any changes are made to your payment plan
- If you are satisfied, click on “Confirm” at the bottom of the screen to confirm the changes
2. For Hulu on a smartphone
For those that can access their Hulu account on their smartphone, the steps do not change that much. However, they are slightly modified as explained in the steps below:
- Open the Hulu app
- In the lower-right corner, select “Account”
- You will be required to re-enter your password
- Once approved, scroll down, and select “Your Subscription”
- Click “Manage” which is next to the “Add-ons” selection
- Select the “Switch Plans” option
- Change the activation to “No commercials”
- Select the “Review Changes” option which is at the bottom of the screen
- Upon selecting the option, Hulu will review if any changes are made to your payment plan
- Select “Confirm” to ensure the change is implemented
Caution To Hulu Subscription Changers
A word of caution for Hulu subscribers who are not on the Ad-free subscription package. Should you change to the Ad-free setting, you are essentially changing your subscription package. This will invariably result in you paying more.
Moreover, this change will not come with a free-trial period, as that is reserved for new subscribers only.
But if you were always a Hulu Ad-free subscriber, the changes made should not come with a monetary increase to your monthly or annual subscription costs.
Final Thoughts
Ads on paid subscription video-on-demand streaming services indicate the type of subscription package you are signed up for. But sometimes, ads can be a technical glitch or part of the platform’s agreement with the studio or production company to have their content on the platform.
In terms of Hulu, both can be true. However, for Hulu Ad-free subscribers, disabling the ads is easy. However, those with the standard subscription might have to change plans to avoid ads that are not free.
Alternatively, they should not watch their shows via Live TV, to minimize the appearance of ads.
