To Pay For Hulu Content
Despite the cheapskate masses already complaining at the prospect of actually spending money on something that they enjoy, Hulu is likely going to ask for a subscription model come 2010. Honestly, if it means that it might not be limiting the number of episodes of individual programs and can keep them up longer, I am all for it.
As the marketplace will likely dictate however, pricing the subscription model in such a way that it is accessible to most people is key. So is the reality that many people are using Hulu to replace their cable bills. Again, make the subscription reasonable and a better value than cable, and Hulu will fast become a logical choice for many people looking to cut back.
Not good enough for your TV? I disagree. Assuming the monthly subscription is substantially less than the $80+ I am paying for high definition DVR TV access today, I have found that Hulu desktop on Linux looks fantastic on my HDTV. Bundled with an audio out to TV cable I own, it sounds great too.
- Mitsubishi MB-52B Matching Base for WD-52531/631
- Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray]
- Bruce Almighty [HD DVD]
- Nip/Tuck – The Complete Fourth Season [HD DVD]
- First True High Definition Mini DVR 1280 x 960 @ 30 FPS 720p Portable Pocket Motion Activated Video Camera Recorder Hi Def HD HDTV CCTV Recording w/ LCD Screen
- Roy Orbison: Black & White Night [HD DVD]
- Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 1080p 240 Hz LCD HDTV with Charcoal Grey Touch of Color
- Samsung LN46B750 46-Inch 1080p 240 Hz LCD HDTV with Charcoal Grey Touch of Color
- Samsung UN55B7000 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV
- Monster M Series High Performance DVI to HDMI Video Adapter (Male DVI to Female HDMI)
- Akai PDP4273M 42″ Plasma HDTV
- Toshiba 37HLC56 37-Inch LCD Tunerless HD-Ready Monitor
- Universal Magnetic Remote Control Caddy
- Nintendo Wii HD Hi-Def tv Pro Component Cable
6 Comments
Dan
October 23rd, 2009
at 1:58am
Matt, I would absolutely pay a reasonable amount (say, $10 a month) for Hulu if they continued to develop the desktop client and expanded the depth of their library, and the length of time shows are available.
Tommy
October 23rd, 2009
at 4:21am
We are already paying for it … commercial breaks remember!
Brian Bucher
October 23rd, 2009
at 10:27am
Matt,
I disagree charging for this site and would walk away. I thought I read that subscriptions were going to be for movies only? I could be wrong. BTW have you seen the list of “free” movies? Not much to choose from in my opinion. I do use Hulu about Three to Four times a week to catch up on the latest episode of my favorite sitcom or drama. As good as technology has become most people still can’t conceive replacing their cable subscription with a simple internet connection, a computer and their display. I myself will connect my macbook to a Samsung 42′ LCD screen to watch a movie and so on but after posting this idea on facebook most laughed at me. They didn’t see the vision or the convenience yet. (Although these are the same people that have landline phones but all carry cellphones). I am a avid sports fan and the internet is just not there yet in content for my favorite sports so getting rid of my cable subscription is not possible either. I do see the internet as the future though. One last thing, if I am going to pay to watch my favorite episodes online I might as well buy them on itunes. At least I get to keep the content.
Thanks,
Brian
ramuno
October 23rd, 2009
at 10:59am
I guess if you are going to replace your cable and DVR, it can work. I don’t think there will be enough people who would do that for the content that is on just that one website.
Tom
October 23rd, 2009
at 12:40pm
I keep hearing this about Hulu. Am I missing something here? Does not Hulu show tv shows after they have already been viewed on cable TV? Did they not already make money off these shows?
Steve Furbish
October 26th, 2009
at 6:09am
I’d be willing to pay a small amount for single user access. Perhaps $50 per year? No way would I fork out even $10 per month however since we are already on the verge of some massive tax increases to pay for our governments excesses and at more than four or five bucks a month it would be too much a luxury for folks on a budget.