My Predictions for Hulu
Per Hulu’s recent announcement, it may start charging for it’s content. It seems a bit wishy-washy as far as what will be charged for, the pricing, etc., but the point is still the same, free TV on the internet may be dead. However, I am doubtful to say if Hulu will cut out what I would have to say it’s primary market and that’s customers, well viewers, who visit the site BECAUSE it’s free. I think, rather, they’ll adjust the releasing schedule and viewing experience between paid and free viewers.
Free Users:
- still get commercials like usual
- latest episode will only be available until off-season rotation
- latest episode may take up to a week to be available to watch
- any “sponsored” series like Arrested Development’s long Hampton exclusive sponsor will be available to watch any time, any episode until the sponsorship is ended
Paid Users:
- no commercials
- can watch any uploaded episode
- latest episode is available same or next day
What do you think?
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I tend to agree that they won’t cut out the free part, because that is the reason Hulu became Hulu. They’ll probably go freemium, which if they can get House up the next day instead of the current 8-day delay, that might be worth the cost.
Comment by Logan Leger — October 29, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
That’s probably why they started developing a payment option, wanting more from the networks.
Comment by Bryan Culver — October 29, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
I’m an avid Hulu user, and I hadn’t heard about this. I always thought that the system they have right now online was lacking. But instead of charging money, I was hoping they would add more ads instead… like 3-4 ads per commercial break instead of one, like on TV. But it looks like they might go the money route instead. But yeah, I think you’re right: I think they’ll still have something for free users, maybe limited available shows, or limited number of hours they can watch.
Like what the New York Times is planning to do next year: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/business/media/21times.html?hp
Comment by Masudur Rahman — January 20, 2010 @ 6:03 pm