Comments on: Sling VP to Hulu: “Bad move”

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:44:51 +0000

Yeah, not impressed with the Hulu/Boxee thing, but it feels like part of the larger evolution going on right now. Hulu is cutting back on the number of shows available, now only the most recent 5 (“go buy the DVDs!”). The Daily Show from yesterday isn’t on Hulu any more, you have to wait until the following week. CBS content dropped from Hulu after dispute.

I understand why they made the move. Think they should be clear about what they want though… why are other methods of getting Hulu onto the TV immune from prosecution? Like the Sony PS3 or that DVD Ripper thing, can’t remember the name. Or even a media center PC hooked up to my TV? Which ones are they okay with?

Also there will be winners and losers here. With the TV.com application on the iPhone, CBS is clearly striking out on their own. Maybe CBS will embrace new media while Fox and NBC will retreat? Who will win?

By: Jaemes

Jaemes — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:29:54 +0000

I think the big problem Hulu (or more appropriately Hulu’s content providers) have is that when you make Hulu available from a TV-connected device, people may realize that they don’t need to subscribe to cable or satellite TV services anymore. Even with ads in the stream of Hulu content, if it caused a shrinking subscriber base from “traditional” outlets, that would be seen as a very bad thing I’m sure.

A computer-based web-experience however is seen as an alternate/inferior experience to watch on TV, so not a threat to cable/sat.

That’s my guess why Hulu is so steadfast in their defense/refusal-to-partner with TV-based experiences.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:37:26 +0000

everybody has been mentioning how Hulu broke MyMediaPlayer – but it may be that they just aren’t very savvy about the the way they update their own service. For instance their own mini-player (http://tinyurl.com/hulu-mini-viewer) is working now but was down for longer than the scheduled maintenance window

By: AO

AO — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:46:47 +0000

I can foresee it now. Beholden to cable companies, like tivo, Hulu is never going to fully reach it’s potential.
Way to go old media, screwing up progress is what you have become known for.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:20:43 +0000

“While I certainly understand and support his position, he of all people should realize the content providers are still somewhat skittish and the situation is complex – in terms of licensing, quality of service (QoS) concerns, regional restrictions, getting paid… and other sticking points we’re probably not aware of.”

…no, it’s just plain old greed. That’s all.

For all their press releases, slick GUI, and improving content, the decision makers at Hulu are now, will always be, super old school dinosaurs who take no action to innovate or serve the best interests of the user…solely because there is no money in it.

Oh yeah – w00t! for Mr. Malone