Hulu
The Nintendo Switch launched in early March but came without any of the streaming services offered on other consoles, even the Wii U. This has been a common talking point among potential buyers of the console. With the Switch being a portable HD screen, streaming services would definitely be a welcome addition.
Today, Hulu announced in a blog post that it is bringing its services to the Nintendo Switch starting today. When you start up your Switch again, you’ll be able to download Hulu from the Nintendo eShop and start watching shows right away.
Hulu ends up beating its rival Netflix to the platform which may help boost some Hulu sales from those who are dying for a streaming service on the new console. You’ll be able to enjoy both the traditional on-demand subscription as well as Hulu with Live TV plan and watch live and on-demand programming from more than 50 of the top news, sports and entertainment channels including all five of the major U.S. broadcast networks. You’re going to be getting the full Hulu package with the Nintendo Switch.
The core service is available for $7.99 a month while the Hulu Live TV plan is available for $39.99 a month.
When the Switch launched, Reggie Fils-Aime, the Nintendo of America boss, said streaming services would eventually come to the console but Nintendo wanted to focus on building up a strong library of games first.
We’re talking to a range of companies about other services, companies like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon — things that will come in time. In our view, these are not differentiators. What differentiates us is the way you play with the Nintendo Switch and what you can play. And that will continue to be our focus into the future as we continue driving this platform.
It’s fair to expect both Netflix and Amazon Instant Video to arrive in the future since the other consoles on the market have this feature. Now the question is when they will be arriving. If Hulu is here today, we’d have to imagine that Netflix and company aren’t that far behind but you never know.
In terms of getting games on the console first, Nintendo has done an excellent job of getting that done in the Switch’s first year. We’ve seen a variety of strong first-party titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey with some peppering of third-party titles like DOOM, Street Fighter II and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. More games are on the way in the form of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Wolfenstein 2 later this year and early into next year.
For more Nintendo Switch news and coverage stay with us here at Heavy.