Hulu disappeared from Apple TV 3rd generation

Hulu no longer lists the Apple TV (3rd generation) as a supported device, in a support document dated Oct 03, 2022.

Supported Apple TV models - Hulu Help Center

Dave__G wrote:

This is ridiculous. It worked for years and now it is just gone. This is not an advancement in technology.

You have a device that was released 10 years ago and uses a discontinued operating system. Over the last few years, more and more companies have been dropping support for the Apple TV 3. Hulu stuck it out for longer than some others.

https://help.hulu.com/s/article/supported-apple-tv

sabine265 wrote:

My Hulu app disappeared yesterday too from my 3rd gen Apple TV also! So frustrating as I've used it for years. Not thrilled about having to buy another apple TV or a Roku just to get it back. Why would they do this?

Companies do this because they don't want to sink the resources into maintaining their apps for very old operating systems. And, in some cases, it may not even be possible. The way their app works may require features that the older operating system doesn't have. In many cases, older operating systems are not considered secure enough.

GeauxTigers17 wrote:

Do you know if I have to buy a whole new apple 📺 or just a new box

I'm sorry but that question doesn't make sense. And "Apple TV" is sometimes referred to as a "box". And, it comes in a box. You don't need to buy a new television, although, if you do, it may be able to stream Hulu without any additional hardware.

If you want to stream Hulu, you will need a device that supports it. That might be a new Apple TV device, or something made by Roku or Amazon, perhaps. Or, you could buy a new smart TV. That, however, would bet the most expensive option.

mandyfromarlington wrote:

Hulu said it wasn’t them, it is Apple who is forcing the consumer to purchase newer devices. Sad thing is, why should loyal customers upgrade when the device is still in perfect working condition. Or at least give us the option to trade with a reasonable value.

Of course, Hulu said that. The bottom line is that Hulu doesn't want to keep spending money on maintaining a software/service on an operating system that is over ten years old and radically different than the current ATV OS. It doesn't make good business sense.

All hardware eventually stops being supported. And, it generally has very little value at that point. However, Apple will recycle things for you.

bigred_135 wrote:

Sounds more like a way for apple to force consumers to buy the “latest and greatest” appletv. A lot like removing the headphone jack on iPhone to boost iPhone sales.

Except it's Hulu that pulled support, not Apple.

How did removing the headphone jack boost sales? Were there suddenly lots of people who felt ashamed to have a phone with an extra hole and ran out and bought new ones? Apple removed the headphone jack to free up space for other things. And, in fact, lots of people complained about it initially.

I'm not sure what you hope to gain by speaking to Hulu. They've dropped support for obsolete hardware. It's unlikely that there are anywhere near enough ATV 3 owners in the world to mount a successful campaign to cause them to reverse this decision.

However, if you log in on this page, you can get contact information:

https://help.hulu.com/s/

I have a second generation Apple TV. My icon disappeared as well this last week. I just downloaded the Hulu app to my phone and stream it from my iPhone to my Apple TV. Not sure this helps everyone, but it’s what worked for me.

screenshare hulu from a laptop. it works perfectly as long as you use firefox browser.

Are they going to bring it back?

I’m not optimistic, but you’ll have to ask that to Hulu. Check if AirPlay works from iPhone or iPad, if you have that. Weird that I haven’t seen any announcement about it, not on the tech websites either. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Hulu said it wasn’t them, it is Apple who is forcing the consumer to purchase newer devices. Sad thing is, why should loyal customers upgrade when the device is still in perfect working condition. Or at least give us the option to trade with a reasonable value.

Planned obsolescence that forces us to purchase new or Apple products because companies like Hulu will not spend the money to update older equipment. Thieves

Are they going to bring it back? I only watch through my Apple TV!!! I loved Hulu.

From what I have read, it’s just a new box.