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Hulu adds The CW to its live TV streaming service

Hulu adds The CW to its live TV streaming service

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It’s still missing Viacom networks like Comedy Central and BET

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Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Hulu just announced that The CW has agreed to join its new live TV streaming service. This means CW shows like Riverdale, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Supernatural will see a simultaneous broadcast on Hulu’s live service when they air on linear TV. Hulu says the network’s shows will be available to watch “in the coming months.” Hulu has already signed similar deals with Disney, including ESPN, and channels like HGTV and Food Network.

Certain CW series have been available on Hulu’s on-demand service in the past, but the licensing agreement between the two companies ended in 2016, leaving Hulu without in-season streaming rights. Live TV will give Hulu an edge over Netflix, which currently has a deal in place to stream CW shows eight days after their seasons end.

Hulu became a live TV provider back in May, competing with services like Sling TV, DirecTV Now, and Vue. It’s still missing big Viacom networks like Comedy Central and BET, while major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox will only stream live in specific regions of the United States. At $39.99 a month, the service costs significantly more than on-demand streaming services, and viewers who are watching live will still have to sit through commercials.

Hulu’s live TV service is available for Android, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Chromecast, and others.