- Users were complaining that Hulu crashed for live TV viewers ahead of the Super Bowl.
- The Super Bowl is the ultimate test for streaming services betting on live sports.
- Live streaming is a big focus for Hulu because of its high subscription price, although the company doesn't make as much ad money from live streaming as it does from on-demand streaming.
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The Super Bowl is the ultimate test for streaming services betting on live sports, and Hulu got off to a rough start tonight.
Ahead of kickoff at the Super Bowl, some Hulu subscribers complained on Twitter that the live sports streaming service was crashing. A Hulu spokesperson did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
Live sports has been a big focus for Hulu. In May, a Hulu exec said that 65% of live-sports viewers go on to watch Hulu's library of on-demand content. That's a big deal for Hulu because the company keeps all revenue from its on-demand viewing but only 15% from ads that run during its live service.
Live TV is also lucrative for Hulu. A subscription typically costs $54.99 a month with access to 65 live and on-demand TV channels, according to Hulu's website. Hulu also offers ad-supported and ad-free streaming plans. Hulu is running a promo for the Super Bowl to offer one week of live streaming for the Super Bowl.
Somebody remind me to dump Hulu live tomorrow.
Let the alcohol flow. pic.twitter.com/yewInQhW3t
- grimacemcdonald (@grimacemcdonal1) February 2, 2020Love paying $85 a month for "live" @hulu so I can watch events like the #SuperBowl in real time. 😒 pic.twitter.com/0hH2PxD4Lu
- Katie McBroom (@KLMcBroom) February 2, 2020