There’s no shame in being a reality TV enthusiast. In fact, no TV excites me more than watching the lives of affluent people, yachties and plastic surgeons.
That’s why Hayu is such a brilliant streaming platform. Not only is the service relatively inexpensive and ad-free, but it indulges us with entertaining escapism in the form of nostalgic family series (you know the one), fast-paced interior design competitions and so much more.
However, in an era where there are so many streaming platforms to choose from, it’s difficult to justify spending on yet another monthly subscription.
What is Hayu?
Launched back in 2016, Hayu is a subscription-based, video-on-demand streaming service that’s available in the UK, across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines.
What differentiates the service from the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus is that Hayu is solely dedicated to the reality genre. This includes both classic series that premiered as far back as 2003 and new episodes alike. Hayu also promises to debut new episodes of current series the same day they’re shown in the US, which is ideal if you want to avoid spoilers.
Unlike Tubi or Freevee, there aren’t any live channels on Hayu and, instead, you just pick and choose which episodes you’d like to watch. Hayu is also completely ad-free, whereas both Tubi and Freevee are funded by their frequent advertisement breaks.
How much is Hayu?
At the time of writing, a Hayu subscription starts at £4.99 per month. Alternatively, you can opt for a six-month rolling subscription which will set you back £23.99 while a 12-month contract costs £43.99.
Can you get a Hayu free trial?
Yes, at the time of writing new users are eligible for a seven-day free trial, which will then automatically roll into a £4.99 monthly subscription afterwards. There are a few ways to sign up to Hayu and redeem your free trial, as you can either visit Hayu directly, sign up via Amazon Prime Video or through Now.
Regardless of the method you choose, all offer the same seven-day free trial and same subscription costs.
What’s on Hayu?
Hayu is a streaming platform that solely provides reality TV and documentaries. Not only does this include Bravo classics such as the entire Real Housewives and Below Deck franchises, but Hayu also includes true crime, competition and lifestyle programming too.
You can also access classic reality TV shows, such as Keeping up with the Kardashians (not the be confused with Hulu’s The Kardashians), Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and even the original Queer Eye. You can find a full list of every series available on Hayu’s website.
Hayu isn’t quite on par with the likes of Netflix in terms of original content, and instead offers access to new episodes of popular series on the same day they’re released in the US. However this will change in August, as Hayu will launch its first original series with the Real Housewives of London series, which is the third of the franchise to take place within the UK.
How can I access Hayu?
There are a few ways to watch Hayu. You can either visit the Hayu website, download the iOS or Android app, or sign up for the service via Amazon Prime Video or Now.