Service goes down one day after Hulu increased its monthly fees for its live TV package
Thousands of Hulu customers were unable to stream “The Handmaid’s Tale” or a classic episode of “The O.C.” on Thursday afternoon after the service went down — one day after the Disney-owned streaming service’s latest price hikes went into effect.
Hulu experienced a spike in reported issues on Downdetector.com, a website dedicated to tracking outages, on Thursday afternoon. About 26,000 people reported streaming problems between about 2 and 3 p.m. PT. Most of the reported problems appeared to stem from the West Coast, according to the site’s map.

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Click Here Already a subscriber? LoginThe cause of the outage is not known, but the problem was resolved at approximately 3:36 p.m. Pacific, Hulu support said on Twitter.
Also Read: Facebook, Instagram Experience Major Outages, Force People to Go Offline on Thanksgiving
The outages come one day after Hulu’s latest fee increases hit customers on its live TV plan. Hulu now charges those customers $54.99 per month, a 22% increase from its previous $44.99 monthly fee. This was the second time Hulu had increased its subscriber fees this year.
The streaming service, when it last reported in May, had 28 million customers across its ad-supported, ad-free and live TV packages.
Also Read: Facebook and Instagram Are Down for Some Users
Hulu’s outage was one of the top trending topics on Twitter, where a few people cracked jokes about the issue:
#HuluDown? Well today’s automatic payment went through without any issues…. @hulu pic.twitter.com/sC4SYDGLF6
— Cicely C. Mitchell (@CicelyMitchell) December 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/ItsAshleySharpe/status/1207777991952080896?s=20
Hulu’s down and I don’t have Netflix pic.twitter.com/vlbDktZs8E
— Marilyn (@pizzad0gg) December 19, 2019
*runs to Twitter to make sure Hulu isn’t working for everyone and not just me.
— Layuh — also not my name (@IamNOTleah) December 19, 2019
17 Shows to Watch After 'The Handmaid's Tale,' From 'Lost' to 'Leftovers' (Photos)
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Various
Hulu's hit series "The Handmaid's Tale," which takes place in a dystopian future where women have virtually no rights, has its finale Wednesday. If you're desperately going to miss the series, have no fear. We've rounded up what you should watch while you wait for Season 2.
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AMC
"The Walking Dead"
AMC's cult favorite just finished its seventh season. The show follows a slew of characters as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse. -
AMC
"Fear The Walking Dead"
Now in its third season, "Fear" is AMC's spinoff to "The Walking Dead." It acts as a prequel and takes place along the U.S.-Mexico border. -
Showtime
"Twin Peaks"
While Showtime's "Twin Peaks" doesn't necessarily happen in a dystopian future, there's plenty of argument that parts occur in another dimension. If you like the weird and bizarre, you'll like "Twin Peaks." -
ABC
"Battlestar Galactica"
After 1,000 years of war, the Battlestar Galactica carries the last few remaining humans to the elusive 13th colony. -
ABC
"Lost"
If you were intrigued by the more mysterious aspects of "Handmaid's," then you'll be all over ABC's science fiction hit following the survivors of a plane crash and the island they inhabit. -
BBC
"Black Mirror"
Alternatively, if you like the more "WTF?" moments of "Handmaid's," then "Black Mirror" is a solid choice. The BBC series is now on Netflix, and each episode tells stand alone stories imagining how part of our modern world could go terribly wrong. -
Amazon
"The Man in The High Castle"
Amazon's series reimagines the world as if Hitler and the Nazis won WWII. The show was recently renewed for Season 3. -
USA
"Mr. Robot"
If you're paranoid about constantly being watched, then you'll resonate with Elliot (Rami Malek), a hacker living in NYC. -
HBO
"The Leftovers"
"The Leftovers" is HBO's series about how the people left on Earth cope after 2 percent of the globe's population vanishes. -
BBC America
"Orphan Black"
A con artist witnesses the death of her look-alike and assumes her life. If you like conspiracies, this is a show for you. This BBC America show is available on Netflix. -
Netflix
"3%"
This Brazilian dystopian thriller focuses on extreme class divisions in the future, similar to "Handmaid's." People are given a chance to go to the "better side" of their world, but only 3 percent succeed. -
The CW
"The 100"
The CW series takes place 97 years after nuclear war destroys Earth, as 100 delinquent teens are sent back to the planet from the spaceship where the few survivors now live. -
CBS
"Jericho"
CBS' show imagines a small town in the aftermath of nuclear bomb in a nearby city. With information cut off, the townspeople must figure out how to survive. -
FOX
"Firefly"
Although only airing for one season, "Firefly" has become a cult favorite. It takes place 500 years in the future and follows a renegade space crew as they escape the authorities. -
CBS
"Hunted"
CBS' competition series has nine teams of two in a real-life manhunt. The show looks at surveillance and how we leave digital footprints wherever we go. -
AMC
"Humans"
AMC's "Humans" takes place in a parallel present day, where synthetic humans are the latest gadget.But the "synths," as they're called, might be just too realistic. -
Syfy
"The Expanse"
Syfy's series takes place 200 years in the future. In the midst of a war between Earth and Mars, a plague breaks out and humans must come together to save the species.
If the Hulu finale leaves you wanting more dystopia and mystery, these are for you
Hulu's hit series "The Handmaid's Tale," which takes place in a dystopian future where women have virtually no rights, has its finale Wednesday. If you're desperately going to miss the series, have no fear. We've rounded up what you should watch while you wait for Season 2.
Sean Burch
Tech reporter • sean.burch@thewrap.com • @SeanB44