Another holiday season, another live musical production by NBC. After the success of The Sound Of Music, Peter Pan, and The Wiz, it seems that NBC has no intention of ending their latest holiday tradition, and are taking a risk by producing their most political musical yet: Hairspray Live! . The musical Hairspray is as much a campy ode to classic rock 'n roll as it is a call to action to stand against racial injustice. Hairspray Live! promises to bring all the fun of the musical to television without sacrificing its powerful message. But fret not, cord-cutters — NBC is also providing people without access to television with ways to stream Hairspray Live!
Hairspray has had a long journey, from an independent 1988 film by cult icon John Waters to major Broadway musical in 2002. Then, the musical version of the movie was adapted into a movie in 2006 starring Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta, and now there's a television version which combines elements from the musical and the film to create a whole new version of the story. While tracing the history of Hairspray can be as complicated as keeping up with the Game of Thrones and Westworlds of television, the story itself is a simple tale that deserves to be told. If you're hoping to watch Hairspray Live!, here is how you can catch the nicest kids In town.
The easiest way to watch Hairspray Live! is to tune into your local NBC affiliate at 8:00 p.m. ET, but it's entirely possible to join the fun without a TV. NBC offers live streaming of its network offerings, but you will be prompted to give a cable subscription login. They also offer live streaming on the NBC app, but according to Engadget, this is "only available in areas where NBC owns the local station."
While a lack of cable login may seem like a dealbreaker, there is still a chance you'll be able to stream Hairspray Live! while it's still... well, live. NBC is one of the major networks that has teamed up with subscription service Sling TV. Sling TV provides network and major cable channels to be live streamed at a discounted price to compete with cable companies. Sling TV's Blue package, which features NBC, goes for $25 a month — but there is a seven-day free trial you can use if you want to watch Hairspray Live! Just be sure to read the fine print, first. Like the NBC app, Sling TV only works with NBC in certain metro areas.
If you're unable to live stream it, there is still hope. Hairspray Live! already has a dedicated Hulu page loaded with clips promoting the show, and according to TV Insider, "Hulu will be streaming Hairspray Live! after its premiere on NBC."
Just like there's no stopping the beat, there's no stopping Hairspray Live! from reaching as large a viewership as possible. Tune in for yourself on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET, or the following morning on Hulu — either way, just make sure you don't miss it.Images: Trae Patton/NBC, Giphy (2)
