• by Alex Weprin , March 29, 2018

Hulu, the streaming video subscription service, is adding The CW network to its lineup of live TV channels through its Hulu with Live TV package.

On-demand programming from the small broadcast network was on Hulu with Live TV since September, but a live linear feed of the network hasn’t been available until now. At first, the feed will be available to customers in eight cities, including San Francisco, Philadelphia and Atlanta, with other cities to follow.

Hulu with Live TV is the company’s live streaming bundle, incorporating cable and broadcast channels into a single streaming package, serving as a “skinny” alternative to a traditional cable or satellite package. It is a separate product from the company’s on-demand streaming video service. The live channel feeds feature the same ad breaks as traditional multichannel video providers.

Local networks like The CW need to be cleared with local affiliates before being added to streaming lineups, which can account for the slow buildout across the U.S.