Why is ABC no longer available on Hulu?

ABC has so many great shows we like to tune in to! There’s returning favorites like Grey’s Anatomy, Abbott Elementary, and The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, as well as new shows like Not Dead Yet and Will Trent. Some of us don’t have cable, so we turn to other options like Hulu + Live TV. However as of March 8, 2023, people subscribed to the service have noticed an important channel missing.

With Hulu + Live TV, you have access to a number of cable channels including major networks ABC, CBS, NBC. They’re all included in the price you pay. This is great as you can watch your favorite shows live and don’t have to wait for them to come to a streaming service the next day. It’s also a great option to be paying for just the one service and have all you need on one platform.

However, ABC is very noticeably missing from the Hulu + Live TV now. Why is that the case? Is there anything you can do about it? We’ve got the answer for you below.

Why is ABC no longer available on Hulu?

As of this writing, ABC is no longer on Hulu. Or more specifically, Hulu + Live TV. Unfortunately it’s not a temporary glitch that’s being troubleshooted. If you head over to the official Hulu Support Twitter page, you’ll notice some viewers questioning why the network isn’t popping up on their Live TV.

That’s because in some parts of the U.S., ABC no longer has the distribution rights to broadcast its programming. The reason is that these certain markets are not owned by ABC, but by media company Sinclair Broadcast Group. According to Cord Cutter News, the two companies weren’t able to reach a distribution agreement. Sinclair told the outlet it was “shocked and dismayed” that Hulu removed their stations “while in the middle of an active negotiation.” As of this writing, Hulu has not put out an official statement.

What’s frustrating viewers is that they were not given a heads up this would be happening. Cord Cutter News reports some of the spots effected are Birmingham, Alabama, Washington, D.C., Springfield, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

As of now, there really isn’t anything Hulu + Live TV subscribers can do except maybe wait. Though it’s not like watching episodes live, all ABC shows are still available to stream on Hulu. You’ll just have to wait until the next day they premiere on TV to do so.