HULU Free days numbered??

[Alebob911]

From MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35697577/ns/business-media_biz/

[Davenlr]

Sounds more like another move by a "cable tv" provider to money grab.

[Pete K.]

This comes as no surprise. Hulu's execs began talking up the idea of a pay model late last year. If they proceed, eyeballs will simply turn elsewhere.

[Stuart Sweet]

I've said it before, the day they charge is the day I take their software off my computer and delete the bookmark from firefox.

[bidger]

That explains why I got an e-mail from Hulu today. No, it wasn't announcing pay services. I think they just want to be in the forefront before they do that.

Honestly, I'm not sure why people are so ga ga over the service. Every time I go full screen with it, I know it's something I wouldn't pay for. Attach a fee and it will be history to me.

[BattleZone]

I'm amazed that anyone could possibily be surprised by this.

The content owners/creators didn't create Hulu so that they could give away their product for free; they created it so that they could control (and eventually profit) from how it was distributed online. Sure, it's free now, as a loss-leader to build an audience, but of COURSE it's going to be a pay service eventually.

[Stuart Sweet]

I didn't say I was surprised, but instead that I reject the notion that the kind of programs hulu offers, with non-skippable ads intact and SD quality, are worth paying for.

[BattleZone]

Oh, I'm sure you're going to see Hulu start offering HD versions for a price, while the SD ones remain free (at least, for a while). Most folks will want the HD version, and that will motivate them to start paying. That will be the camel's nose under the tent...