Overview of Hulu’s 2018 Catalog
In 2018, Hulu operated as a joint venture between Disney, Fox, and NBCUniversal, and it maintained a mixed lineup of originals and licensed shows. The platform leaned into prestige originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale and This Is Us, while also carrying popular broadcast extensions like The Good Doctor and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Below is a status-focused breakdown of marquee series available on Hulu in calendar year 2018, verified against publicly announced launch and renewal information from that period.
Original Series Headlining the 2018 Lineup
Continued Originals
Hulu renewed several early originals for multiyear runs in 2018, solidifying them as flagship series. These included dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale, family dramedy This Is Us, and true-crime anthology American Crime Story. All three were in active production for second seasons that premiered in 2018, drawing both critical acclaim and subscriber growth for the service.
New Originals in 2018
During 2018, Hulu also debuted new originals aimed at broadening its demographic appeal. Dramedy The Act and crime drama The Purge joined the catalog as limited series in 2018. At the same time, genre series such as The First explored high-concept storytelling, though not all were renewed for additional seasons.
Licensed and Extended Broadcast Shows
Hulu’s licensing partnerships in 2018 allowed it to carry current-season episodes of broadcast series shortly after their linear airings. NBC’s The Good Doctor Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder were among the prominent additions. These shows typically appeared on Hulu the day after their national broadcasts, making the platform a next-day destination for network viewers.
Catalog Comparison: 2018 Versus Earlier Years
Compared to 2017, Hulu’s 2018 catalog showed increased investment in original drama and more robust same-season broadcast extensions. While the core subscriber base had grown since the 2015 launch of next-day streaming, 2018 marked a shift toward broader genre diversification and tighter integration with broadcast networks.
Notable Arrivals and Departures
New licensed series in 2018 included The Good Doctor and expanded seasons of This Is Us, while some legacy shows began winding down or moved to other platforms. The evolving mix reflected Hulu’s strategy to balance originals with high-demand network content.
Documentary and Unscripted Highlights
Beyond scripted series, Hulu maintained a slate of documentaries and unscripted shows in 2018. Standout documentary offerings included the true-crime series The Case of: JonBenét Ramsey and cultural commentary features, which complemented the platform’s entertainment-heavy brand.
Availability and Access Notes
Throughout 2018, Hulu’s on-demand catalog remained primarily available in the United States, with limited international reach. Ad-supported tiers provided access to the described series, while ad-free plans commanded higher monthly fees. Regional blackouts for certain broadcast content persisted due to licensing restrictions.
Key Shows on Hulu in 2018 at a Glance
| Show | Status on Hulu in 2018 | Type | Premiere or Notable Season | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Handmaid’s Tale | Renewed for Season 2 in 2018 | Original Drama | Season 1 (2017), Season 2 (2018) | Official Hulu announcement |
| This Is Us | Aired Season 1; renewed for Season 2 in 2018 | Original Drama | Season 1 (2016), Season 2 (2017, continued into 2018)Official Hulu/Network press releases | |
| The Good Doctor | Next-day streaming through license agreement | Licensed Broadcast | Season 1 (2017–2018) | NBC/Hulu carriage terms |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Next-day streaming after Fox renewal in 2018 | Licensed Comedy | Season 5 (2017–2018) | Fox/Hulu partnership |
| The Purge | Original limited series debut in 2018 | Original Anthology | Season 1 (September 2018) | Hulu press release |
| The First | Original drama premiered in 2018; not renewed | Original Drama | Season 1 (2018) | Hulu series announcement |
Content Mix and Positioning in 2018
By late 2018, Hulu balanced marquee originals with day-after broadcast extensions, making it a multi-option destination for live-event and weekly storytelling audiences. The catalog leaned into prestige drama while maintaining broad sitcom and procedural offerings through licensed deals.
Legacy Considerations and Long-Term Catalog Shifts
Some titles available in 2018 saw reduced prominence or left the platform in subsequent years due to licensing expirations or shifts toward in-house production. This underscores the importance of checking current catalogs, as earlier lineups are not guaranteed to remain static over time.