Hulu adds CW; DirecTV Now rolls out Ovation channel
As the battle continues between live streaming services to add local TV stations of the main four TV networks, Hulu with Live TV has now started adding affiliates of the CW Network.
With new affiliate deals for the broadcast network, CW locals are now available to Hulu with Live TV subscribers in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Tampa, Detroit, Seattle, Sacramento and Pittsburgh.
Hulu Live users have had access to on-demand CW programming since September. The CW is jointly owned by CBS Corp. and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Warner Bros. is a part of Time Warner, Inc., which is a minority shareholder in Hulu.
The addition of the eight CW affiliates to Hulu Live are the first such network affiliates for the service. At present, YouTube TV has the most CW affiliates in the U.S. with a total of 25, according to StreamBuzz.net and their local affiliate count chart.
Meanwhile, DirecTV Now has added the arts channel Ovation to its lineup for customers subscribing to the $60-a-month ‘Go Big’ package and above.
Ovation is a privately held, independent cable network. Current programming includes shows like Versailles, The Art of Wine, Manifesto starring Cate Blanchett, Marjorie Prime, and X Company.