Hulu Plus – the beginning of the end of cable TV? [updated]

Or save yourself $9.99 and plug your laptop/desktop to your TV and stream away. Not HD, but not bad either. I would support Hulu more if they got rid of ads if you paid . . . who wants to pay for ads?!

Or save yourself $9.99 and plug your laptop/desktop to your TV and stream away. Not HD, but not bad either. I would support Hulu more if they got rid of ads if you paid . . . who wants to pay for ads?!

I agree with you that this will contribute to the collapse of the big cable company. Is it as ground breaking as iTunes? I don’t think so, but it is getting closer. I assume that as this option grows in populatirty the selection of shows will grow as well, if that is the case it could easily grow into a cable killer. As of right now, the list of available shows isn’t robust enough to convince me to switch. There are too many shows that I enjoy that aren’t on that list. Also, there is simply something to be said for channel surfing. Many of the shows that are now regulars for me would have never been found if it wasn’t for me being bored one evening and just landing on a random channel. While it would probably boost my productivity by eliminating this option, it would also eliminate the really good shows I have found this way.

I agree with you that this will contribute to the collapse of the big cable company. Is it as ground breaking as iTunes? I don’t think so, but it is getting closer. I assume that as this option grows in populatirty the selection of shows will grow as well, if that is the case it could easily grow into a cable killer. As of right now, the list of available shows isn’t robust enough to convince me to switch. There are too many shows that I enjoy that aren’t on that list. Also, there is simply something to be said for channel surfing. Many of the shows that are now regulars for me would have never been found if it wasn’t for me being bored one evening and just landing on a random channel. While it would probably boost my productivity by eliminating this option, it would also eliminate the really good shows I have found this way.

Zach – That’s assuming you have an extra computer to use. Otherwise you’re out $400-ish. Good point about the ads.That is pretty sucky.

Michael – As ground-breaking as iTunes when? When it launched or now? I agree that in its current form Hulu Plus isn’t going to upend the cable industry. But if it can grow its catalog I don’t see why in a year or two it would be a no-brainer for people to jump ship.

Re: Channel surfing – I don’t channel surf anymore. If I don’t have anything recorded on my DVR I don’t watch TV. It’s not worth my time to flip through stuff and hope that I maybe find something good. I can’t remember the last time I found a good new show that way.

Zach – That’s assuming you have an extra computer to use. Otherwise you’re out $400-ish. Good point about the ads.That is pretty sucky.

Michael – As ground-breaking as iTunes when? When it launched or now? I agree that in its current form Hulu Plus isn’t going to upend the cable industry. But if it can grow its catalog I don’t see why in a year or two it would be a no-brainer for people to jump ship.

Re: Channel surfing – I don’t channel surf anymore. If I don’t have anything recorded on my DVR I don’t watch TV. It’s not worth my time to flip through stuff and hope that I maybe find something good. I can’t remember the last time I found a good new show that way.

Dave – it is a brave step forward, and I commend Hulu for doing it. I have some deep seated hatred for Hulu after they wimped out and pulled out from Boxee ( http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/02/18/the-hulu-situation/ ) so it is hard for me to get back on the Hulu train. If they cut their price in half, it’d be an easy sell . . . I wouldn’t question it for one moment. I am currently paying $9.99 for Netflix, plus $X.99 for content on my AppleTV, adding $9.99 for Hulu on my iDevices is just making a mess of my media.

Side note : Hulu is run by NBC, therefore it is still run by a bunch of close-minded Network TV folks . . . which explains the paying for ads – which still blows my mind.

Dave – it is a brave step forward, and I commend Hulu for doing it. I have some deep seated hatred for Hulu after they wimped out and pulled out from Boxee ( http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/02/18/the-hulu-situation/ ) so it is hard for me to get back on the Hulu train. If they cut their price in half, it’d be an easy sell . . . I wouldn’t question it for one moment. I am currently paying $9.99 for Netflix, plus $X.99 for content on my AppleTV, adding $9.99 for Hulu on my iDevices is just making a mess of my media.

Side note : Hulu is run by NBC, therefore it is still run by a bunch of close-minded Network TV folks . . . which explains the paying for ads – which still blows my mind.

Groundbreaking as iTunes within the past few years. When it came out iTunes was a small little service that had a good idea, but not much of a selection. I think that hulu could be on the same trail, but if they don’t grow their selection then they don’t have a prayer of survival. As for channel surfing, it is how I found Chuck, 30 Rock, The Office, The OCD Project, Boston Legal, The Unit and many many more. I guess I am not one to really pay attention to advertising for shows much. If I stumble upon it I will watch it, if not, it is rare that I start watching a new program just because somebody I know was talking about it, or because I saw a preview for it on tv.

Groundbreaking as iTunes within the past few years. When it came out iTunes was a small little service that had a good idea, but not much of a selection. I think that hulu could be on the same trail, but if they don’t grow their selection then they don’t have a prayer of survival. As for channel surfing, it is how I found Chuck, 30 Rock, The Office, The OCD Project, Boston Legal, The Unit and many many more. I guess I am not one to really pay attention to advertising for shows much. If I stumble upon it I will watch it, if not, it is rare that I start watching a new program just because somebody I know was talking about it, or because I saw a preview for it on tv.

Zach – Yeah. The Boxee thing was unjust. No doubt. I don’t have Netflix nor do I ever see myself downloading anything but music from iTunes. So $9.99 for all the TV I could possibly watch sounds really good to me – especially if I can cut my cable bill at the same time.

Michael – You and I are exactly opposite. I only find new shows based on recommendations or ads during the shows I already watch (particularly on USA – they have about four series we follow religiously). Channel surfing = Chat Roulette for TV.

Zach – Yeah. The Boxee thing was unjust. No doubt. I don’t have Netflix nor do I ever see myself downloading anything but music from iTunes. So $9.99 for all the TV I could possibly watch sounds really good to me – especially if I can cut my cable bill at the same time.

Michael – You and I are exactly opposite. I only find new shows based on recommendations or ads during the shows I already watch (particularly on USA – they have about four series we follow religiously). Channel surfing = Chat Roulette for TV.

I think there is a market for Hulu Plus, I am not one of those people – nor are the 1236 people who rated it 1 star ( vs 292 other stars). I hope Hulu realizes that there is indeed a viable market – but there was an error in pricing structure. It would be interesting to theorize on what would have happened if Apple allowed Flash on their platform . . .

Also as noted, I hope the cable companies are freaking out right now – they have been gouging pocket books for decades. Hulu is a first step – I welcome all others to take their hand at it.

I think there is a market for Hulu Plus, I am not one of those people – nor are the 1236 people who rated it 1 star ( vs 292 other stars). I hope Hulu realizes that there is indeed a viable market – but there was an error in pricing structure. It would be interesting to theorize on what would have happened if Apple allowed Flash on their platform . . .

Also as noted, I hope the cable companies are freaking out right now – they have been gouging pocket books for decades. Hulu is a first step – I welcome all others to take their hand at it.

For me it’s more about access to the back catalog than it is availability on iOS products.

Yes, the pricing structure is a bit off – especially considering they’re leaving ads in. That, to me, is delusional.

While we’re theorizing, what if Hulu Plus was $4.95 per month and live streaming of shows as they air (instead of having to wait until the following day) was $9.95 per month (Hulu Premium?). Would that be worth it?

For me it’s more about access to the back catalog than it is availability on iOS products.

Yes, the pricing structure is a bit off – especially considering they’re leaving ads in. That, to me, is delusional.

While we’re theorizing, what if Hulu Plus was $4.95 per month and live streaming of shows as they air (instead of having to wait until the following day) was $9.95 per month (Hulu Premium?). Would that be worth it?

Using 4.95 as a price point would definetly be more appealing. At that price point many would be willing to pay that just for the ability to have it on their Apple enabled devices, not to mention the ability to actually have it on their tv. They could also do 4.95 for standard def versus 9.95 for HD, would that bring in more customers?

Using 4.95 as a price point would definetly be more appealing. At that price point many would be willing to pay that just for the ability to have it on their Apple enabled devices, not to mention the ability to actually have it on their tv. They could also do 4.95 for standard def versus 9.95 for HD, would that bring in more customers?

While I agree, I hate watching ads also, I think it is prudent to point out that if you pay for cable, you are *already paying for ads.* The price is for the access, the ads are to support the programming (I am certain that is a very, very simplified point of view).

I am currently a Netflix subscriber purely for the streaming content. I don’t get the newest episodes of shows (looks like it has to be out on DVD before it gets put up) but the back catalog is great and the movie selection is nothing to sneeze at. The killer thing though? I can stream it over my Wii, which is the only way to get streaming content on my TV. If Hulu comes out with a disc like that, I very well may jump over and try it.

While I agree, I hate watching ads also, I think it is prudent to point out that if you pay for cable, you are *already paying for ads.* The price is for the access, the ads are to support the programming (I am certain that is a very, very simplified point of view).

I am currently a Netflix subscriber purely for the streaming content. I don’t get the newest episodes of shows (looks like it has to be out on DVD before it gets put up) but the back catalog is great and the movie selection is nothing to sneeze at. The killer thing though? I can stream it over my Wii, which is the only way to get streaming content on my TV. If Hulu comes out with a disc like that, I very well may jump over and try it.