Hulu Puts Gun To Own Head: May Require Users To Show Proof Of Pay TV Subscription

from the preserving-the-problem-to-which-they-are-the-solution dept

We've discussed in the past how Hulu's owners -- the major Hollywood/TV studios -- absolutely hate that Hulu is actually useful and convincing people to watch TV online. Because of that, they've been trying to destroy Hulu. Hulu's management -- which mostly seems to understand the internet -- tried to get out from under this potentially paralyzing ownership structure, but the studios (stupidly) telegraphed the message that they would block Hulu from getting their content, meaning that no one wanted to pay the ridiculous asking price.

Well, now it appears that phase one of making Hulu absolutely useless to people who might cut the cord from pay TV is going into effect, with plans to join the networks silly "TV Everywhere" setup and require users to have a pay TV subscription in order to access parts of the service. Hulu's main (non-studio) investor, Providence Equity Partners, sold its shares last week because it heard about this plan and knew it was suicidal.

In no rational world would Hulu move in this direction on its own. Hulu's key selling point is that it's the go-to source for cord cutters, helping it build up a very large audience. Taking that crowd out of its audience makes it close to useless. While the studios love this because they make so much money from pay TV companies, it's incredibly short-sighted in the long run. It's pure protectionism of legacy revenues, done by sacrificing the one truly innovative platform they've invested in.

Meanwhile, along the same lines, the THResq story that we link to above also notes that NBC Universal will, once again, seek to marginalize its own online coverage of the Olympics, by also requiring proof of a pay TV service. Way to raise a giant middle finger to all the cord cutters out there -- guaranteeing that they seek out alternative streams for which NBC Universal gets no money.
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Filed Under: cord cutters, hollywood, pay tv, television
Companies: hulu, providence equity partners


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  • identicon
    arcan, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:31am

    this title is misleading. Hulu is not putting a gun to it's own head. Hollywood is strapping a nuke to it's head. then they are going to complain that piracy threw a rock at the nuke and caused it to go off. this will lead to them attempting to force R&D for a time machine through congress to go back in time and pass all the laws they want 50 years ago. this will lead to an alternate time loop which the gods of the internet will deem heresy and destroy everything. which will lead to hollywood blaming the destruction of the universe on pirates and tom cruise. not sure why tom cruise. but they are going to find some way to blame it on tom cruise.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:35am

    Wow. Lol gatekeepers are going to kill their industry. The more they do this the more their customers will dislike it. Wow.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      gorehound (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:06pm

      Re:

      This is because the MAFIAA have no brains nor do they think like human beings.They are lower than cockroaches in my eyes.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Bob V (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 4:50pm

        Re: Re:

        I always wonder after reading these stories who are these people beholden to. They have to be accountable to someone dont they.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Keroberos (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:35am

    (If I was a pirate)

    That's OK, there's other much better sources for pay TV content on the internet ;)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Starman, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:39am

    Humm

    I just canceled my Plus subscription last night after having had it on hold for over 6 months.

    Hands down between Hulu and Netflix I watch Netflix 100 times more than I do Hulu. I would not miss the site if it went offline today.

    All I have to say to Hollywood is evolve or die. And they are not at the top of the food chain either. Should walk softly in a world of predators who are much more capable than they are.

    Gonna laugh my ass off when we as a nation finally prohibit special interest money in our elective political system. It is coming sooner than you think!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:49am

      Re: Humm

      All I have to say to Hollywood is evolve or die.

      Now be fair. They try, they really do try to die.

      But the piles of still-warm decaying dead bodies from the former "music industry" (look it up in your history books) keep tripping the them up during their life-end march to their final resting places in Davy Jones' Locker.

      But don't despair. In the not-too-distant future, they'll be exhibited in museums along with other ancient fossils and relics of primitive peoples' abject refusal to follow the heavily sing-posted and already constructed "yellow-brick-road" to the future.

      In their primitive brains, the only choice they have the "vision" to imagine is "commit suicide or die". Their actions over the years have clearly demonstrated that.

      And I couldn't give a flying fuck.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:40am

    If you don't like it then why don't you make your own shows!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      E. Zachary Knight (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:42am

      Re:

      Oh, there are a number of shows that I watch that can't be found through a tv network. So no shortage of entertainment there.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:06am

      Re:

      I guess the shills don't realize how many places are doing just that. It's weird, I've never said this before, but I sometimes spend my evening's worth of TV-watching only watching Youtube things I subscribe to....or various Escapist videos and the like.

      Sure, I still watch a decent amount of TV shows, but the number is MUCH smaller than a few years ago and is only shrinking.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:31am

        Re: Re:

        GeekAndSundry YouTube channel. Felicia Day is awesome.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Jeremy2020 (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 1:52pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Seriously! I don't think they realize how much content is out there. Heck, look at netflix having it's own program.

          Geek and Sundry is simply fantastic.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            H0mer, 3 May 2012 @ 2:54pm

            Netflix

            Er, GeekandSundry is a YouTube channel, not associated with Netflix in any way. But you're correct, it is a fantastic channel and I am very happy for Felicia Day!

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        gorehound (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:07pm

        Re: Re:

        +1
        I could care less about the newest TV Show.I am getting rid of Hollywood little by little from my life.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:36am

      Re:

      Like Lillyhammer? Don't mind if I do. It certainly takes more risks than anything from basic cable TV in the last decade.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      roger, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:13pm

      Re:

      Yeah! That's exactly why I supported PoineerOne! Good point Anonymous Coward, Vodo.net can really change things.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Benjamin C. Wade, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:30pm

      Make your own movies

      I'm a medical professional. I will make my own shows if YOU will do your own colonoscopy and administer your own IVs etc.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 3:49pm

      Re:

      If they don't like us, why don't they go make their own consumers!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 4:41pm

      Re: Own Shows

      Make our own shows? What like ordinary people making video? Maybe even full movies? With no gatekeepers around?

      Nah, can't happen.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    E. Zachary Knight (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:40am

    As a Cable Cutter...

    As a lifelong cable cutter, If the networks take Hulu away from me, I won't be suddenly subscribing to cable to satellite. I will simply stop watching the shows that I watched on Hulu. So long Eureka. So long Psych. So long White Collar (not that I could watch you consistently with your insane 1 episode available at a time 3 months after airing).

    This will only mean less traffic to Hulu and less money to networks.

    When the latest seasons of these shows are available on Netflix, I will watch them there. That is if they don't kill of Netflix before then first.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:21am

      Re: As a Cable Cutter...

      "So long Eureka. So long Psych. So long White Collar..."

      If this keep you from watching that swill then I've changed my mind and I'm 100% for it.

      Jesus, are you also giving the finger to those scallywag pharmacies that stopped selling arsenic and asbestos nose plugs...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:28pm

      Re: As a Cable Cutter...

      Ya know, I have been off cable for 5 years now. I dumped everything into having the fastest Internet connection, mostly for gaming.

      Only recently did I start poking around Hulu, and went ahead and added the plus plan, along with my Netflix I have had for years. (It's the end of the expansion for WoW, so I'm getting bored).

      I have watched more 'broadcast TV' than I have at all in the last 5 years.

      All this did was remind me how much the MAFIAA piss me off, and I will be cutting Hulu immediately.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ima Fish (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:41am

    "NBC Universal will, once again, seek to marginalize its own online coverage of the Olympics"

    I think that Google should bid on "broadcasting" the Olympics. They could stream all the events in real time, plus allow you to watch any event after it occurred when it's convenient for you.

    Unlike broadcast TV, Google would only have to care about how many people watched, and not how many people watched at the same time.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:12am

      Re:

      This is a great idea. Google can show certain events on Youtube or elsewhere, and also license out rights to various networks to show coverage as well. So ESPN might buy the rights to Swimming and Basketball, CBS takes track and field, etc.

      Would never happen though, the OIC would screw it up?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Annie Mouse, 30 Apr 2012 @ 3:56pm

      @Ima Fish

      @Ima Fish

      It would be so much more fun if they included an "Exclusive" rider on it... NBC wouldn't be allowed to broadcast it on the internet. :)

      It would be an interesting test case to show if the internet really can support a commercial model (tip to those in the know: It CAN!)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:44am

    I'm starting to think the apocalypse that is supposedly coming this December might actually be caused by the TV exec's ego reaching critical mass to implode upon itself forming a quantum singularity that will rip the planet apart... But I'm sure they'd still find some way to blame piracy for the mess.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:48am

    But I watch network TV if I need to, I don't pay a dime to a cable service.

    Does this mean I'm a pirate and I didn't even know?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      hothmonster, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:04am

      Re:

      Yeah, they are adding a slot to rabbit ear antennas that you have to put your credit card in to watch broadcast tv now.It just charges you buy the minute for receiving the signal.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Rikuo (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:49am

    These TV networks...why is it that they seem to be the ONLY industry that actively demonstrates that they DON'T want to give what the customers want? Here we have tens of thousands of people who have cut the cord (or in my case, never had a cord in the first place), who want to watch shows legally downloaded from the Internet...and told NO!
    Newsflash...the market will always get what it wants. Now, if you're smart, you'll deliver to them what they want and figure out a way to profit from it. Actively denying customers what they demand is the quickest way to kill your business. What, don't tell me you believe that these cord cutters will get the cord back once they hear of Hulu's death? They won't. I won't. I won't get a cord. I don't want one. If you don't provide to me, I'll get it elsewhere. After all, its not my responsbility to make sure you get paid.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:50am

    If only there were some way to get these shows through alternative means...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Drak, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:50am

    I used to download a lot of tv shows when I was in college because I had fast internet and no cable. It wasn't bad, you download about 25 RAR files along with a few PAR files to fill in the missing gaps and bam, you have a show. I no longer do that because Netflix and Hulu have made it easier to just pony up the dough and watch it through my streaming blu-ray player.

    Over time it seems the commercials have become even more intrusive from Hulu, and of course when the video stream messes up you get to watch the commercial over again. To be fair I can't say that it's Hulu's fault or the box's manufacturer.

    If they go a step further and continue to limit the few shows I find interesting on Hulu then I'll just be forced to go back to the way I used to do things. Not because of the cost (I'd pay double for Hulu if I could get more shows and no commercials btw), but rather because it'll become simpler for me to go back to my RAR/PAR file setup.

    If you suddenly charge 2-3-400% more for less quality expect to have no sales.

    The sad part is that the ONLY part of the equation that any studios seem to get is that people want to watch their product. After that fact is recognized they then go the route of a dyslexic ferret in a badger hole. Go figgure.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:52am

    "Providence Equity Partners, sold its shares last week because it heard about this plan and knew it was suicidal. "

    I have to wonder about this statement. DO you have any specifically clear statements from PEP that they are selling because of this plan? Or are you just making stuff up again?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:09am

      Re:

      "In fact, the move by Hulu toward the new model — called authentication because viewers would have to log in with their cable or satellite TV account number — was behind the move last week by Providence Equity Partners to cash out of Hulu after five years, these sources said."

      According to the NY Post article Mike linked, so no, he's not making stuff up.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:39am

        Re: Re:

        Everyone knows the NY Post is a freetard rag.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 2:49pm

        Re: Re:

        "these sources said"

        In other words, nothing from the actual people involved, just the old un-named sources.

        There seems to be a lack of confirmation from either side. Hulu doesn't comment on the move (if there was any), and the investors haven't said anything either.

        Speculation!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          teka, 30 Apr 2012 @ 8:42pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          It would be foolish and possibly actionable for a business partner/stakeholder to publicly announce "Hey, these guys are idiots and fools. Please help us unload the crap stake we have to let us salvage something from this sinking ship of failure."

          Using the restraint of an investment group who wants to continue to make money as the sign that this is a great idea would be silly.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Mike Masnick (profile), 1 May 2012 @ 1:38am

          Re: Re: Re:

          In other words, nothing from the actual people involved, just the old un-named sources.


          I don't think you understand how journalism works.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      arcan, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:10am

      Re:

      do you have any reasonable reason why PEP would suddenly leave right around the time that this came out? it makes sense that the simplest reason they left was this business model change. unless you want us to believe magic penguins snuck into their headquarters and sold all of their Hulu shares without them knowing.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:53am

      Re:

      I know the internet might be tough for your types, but if you click on the blue words ("links") it will take you to other "websites" and that's where Mike got that info from.

      Magic!

      I mean technology!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    wait a minute, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:53am

    people still watch the olympics?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 10:58am

    I am a seeker of the alternate stream for my entertainment
    My cable bill is also $200 a month.
    I will be looking for ways to decrease that bill in the future.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 1:13pm

      Re:

      you pay 7$ a day to watch tv?

      Are you nuts?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      jupiterkansas (profile), 1 May 2012 @ 8:52am

      Re:

      I hope by "future" you mean tomorrow, because that is insane.

      That's $2400 a year!

      That's a video projector, a stack of blurays, and a year of Netflix, with enough money left over to go outside to see live theatre, concerts, and enjoy the rest of life.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2012 @ 10:12pm

      Re:

      Anytime you're ready, you're welcome in our ranks. ;)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Keii (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:10am

    Blaming pirates for Hollywood's actions is a lot like blaming a woman for dressing like that.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Vincent Clement (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:12am

    A long time ago, you could receive TV programming for free over the air. How did NBC, CBS and ABC survive back then?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 2:36pm

      Re:

      Yes, a long time ago as in this morning. It is amazing how good of a picture a $10 rabbit ears antenna and a $200 budget 32" TV can get. And, get this-- I get MORE channels using the rabbit ears than I do using DirecTV!!! OTA I get two or three subchannels for each network (so I get 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 for NBC etc).

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:13am

    Proof of Pay TV Subscription sounds a lot like the big government intrusion of "Papers Please" Arizona to me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    A Guy (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:14am

    Hulu has been going this direction for years. I have cable, but I won't be going to the trouble of entering any information into hulu.

    I also wonder how this is even legally feasible. Do cable companies give information about all their subscribers info to Hulu? Is it even legal if they do? I seem to remember something about information sharing by cable companies being illegal under one of the cable acts.

    Well, if these studios want to put another nail in their own coffin, let them. There are plenty of other entertainment options out there.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Rikuo (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:29am

      Re:

      The TV networks own Hulu. So I guess its legal for Hulu to have that information. Complaining about that would be like complaining about Microsoft's Windows Live team being allowed to access data of people on Xbox Live - its still the same company.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        A Guy (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:08pm

        Re: Re:

        TV networks are not cable companies. There may be antitrust issues here too now that you mention it.

        I expect this cluster fuck to go away before the lawyers get through with it.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 6:43pm

      Re:

      HBO-GO requires putting in a pay tv number.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:14am

    Insider trading?

    I don't know the details here, but if Providence Equity Partners dumped their shares because they heard this before it was made public, wouldn't that be insider trading?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      PRMan, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:09pm

      Re: Insider trading?

      But it wouldn't be insider if they announced that it was the reason they were dropping the shares, would it?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Cowardly Anonymous, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:45pm

      Re: Insider trading?

      Hulu is a privately traded company and is thus not subject to insider trading laws.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 1:14pm

        Re: Re: Insider trading?

        its owned by the big studios, of course its done outside regulations.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Peter, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:17am

    Really?

    So when you have to pay for something that someone else "made" you get upset? Do they over charge, maybe. But if you don’t like it get out of your hole & do something more physically or mentally stimulating. We as a society watch entirely too much TV anyway. I am in the business & know how demotivating TV is. Quit complaining because they would like you to pay for something you want.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:36am

      Re: Really?

      Didn't they already get paid by the people who plaster ads all over and in every crevice of their precious minutes-long content?

      How many dips are they expecting for one product?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:46am

      Re: Really?

      Hulu isn't free. It's not about having to pay in general it's about the price going up by an order of magnitude.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike Masnick (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:47am

      Re: Really?

      So when you have to pay for something that someone else "made" you get upset?

      Did you even read the post? This isn't about free vs. paid. This is about killing off a useful service that lots of people are willing to pay for UNLESS you also pay a ridiculous amount for a cable/satellite TV service you don't need.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Lord Binky, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:37pm

        Re: Re: Really?

        Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?
        Because it was dead.

        Why did the cat fall out of the tree?
        Because it was stapled to the monkey

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      techflaws.org (profile), 1 May 2012 @ 2:53am

      Re: Really?

      But if you don’t like it get out of your hole & do something more physically or mentally stimulating.

      Can do. Mike is writing posts on his blog.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    terry (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:18am

    Gradually Becoming Irrelevant

    Hollywood, and all of the big old time gatekeepers of entertainment are gradually becoming irrelevant. Whether they like it or not people are more and more turning to the content online by independent producers. For example my two favorite programs are on Jupiter Broadcasting and they are my favorite because the similar shows broadcast by satellite slant the entire programs to favor many big parters and advertisers. While there still seems to be a little of that with the small online network, there clearly is much less and everything in the programs come across as more genuine.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:21am

    Business schools 20 or 30 years from now will have excellent case studies on how the media empires all died due to their stupidity.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Lord Binky, 30 Apr 2012 @ 2:34pm

      Re:

      Business schools are in shock by media companie's refusal to follow basic business strategy to maintain their empires over time. Many media companie's strategy would cause them to fail a intro to remedial Econ101. The reaction to change is not a business response, but a poor human performance response of people who got used to not haveing to try and learn, fighting with all their might not to try and learn.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:33am

    What is so funny, is that tv networks and shows, movies, would make so much soooo much more money if they adapted to technology. Seriously, it's a goldmine.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Gues-who, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:40am

    Thank heaven's for The Pirate Bay...

    So typical - and they wonder why people go to P2P sites...

    Hint: Because they actually ARE useful...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:41am

    Wait a minute?

    Why should I have to have a pay TV service? I get 3 NBC channels in beautiful HD from the antenna in my attic

    Doesn't make any sense

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Brent Ashley (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:43am

    Free to err

    It's natural selection; leave them to them kill themselves if that's what they want to do. The sooner the better.

    I just put an antenna on my roof that gets over 20 HD channels, installed MythBuntu on an old PC, and dropped my cable tv completely. By scheduling recordings from the air, I'll have more than enough to watch whenever I want without paying any of them any money and they'll have to live off their advertising like in the bad old days. Oh yeah, and I can skip commercials.

    Luckily for now what I'm doing is not only perfectly legal but they are mandated to provide it. Keep your eyes on the small print in those obscure bills from the back benches - we're sure to see some concerted effort to kill free-to-air broadcast.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    iambinarymind (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 11:54am

    While they destroy themselves...

    While the old media continues to destroy itself I will continue to financially support truly independent media online.

    When I'm not online, I read books.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:06pm

    Lonely?

    This is stupid, but I'm sure everyone who has the cut the cord, know's SOMEONE who will give them their account number to plug into Hulu, so the network's think all the Hulu user's are paying for their overpriced garbage service.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:29pm

    TORRENT!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    StareClips.com, 30 Apr 2012 @ 12:50pm

    Hulu

    Hulu: An Evil Plot To Destroy Hulu. Enjoy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 1:31pm

    Will miss it

    I will miss it if it goes. There's a couple shows there I follow that aren't on Netflix. If they kick me off like this though, I know of an alternative service I can use. It's called the "VPN torrent" network, and it's got every show, with only occasional porn ads. You can even put your own shows up on it!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    lsilvest (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 1:45pm

    Not as ridiculous as Fox

    I recently went to the Fox Website having missed an episode of House and now to watch online you have to have a provider account. WTF is this for an OTA broadcaster? You'd think they would be happy to get in a few commercials for a show that was broadcast free to begin with. In fact, I've watched more commercials streaming online than I'll ever watch since I record everything. These network clowns get dumber every day.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 5:50pm

      Re: Not as ridiculous as Fox

      couldn't believe that so I went there and those idiots really did it. You have to have an account with fox.com. Once you leap that hurdle you have to sign in again with a provider's account number. Unbelievable.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    hmm (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 3:20pm

    Let's assume

    Let's assume Hulu survives (long stretch I know, but bear with me on this).

    All you end up with is a market for people who DON'T cut the cord to sell their account number to someone who just wants Hulu..........

    muhahahahahaha

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rich Kulawiec, 30 Apr 2012 @ 3:39pm

    This announcement is Hulu's suicide note

    But there's a possible upside: here's a chance for Netflix to undo a good chunk of the damage it inflicted on itself last year. (Step 1: look at what Hulu did. Step 2: do the opposite. Step 3: Profit?)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Jacob Cooper (profile), 30 Apr 2012 @ 3:55pm

    The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2012 @ 4:41pm

    Is this strictly for free users on the Hulu website, or is Hulu Plus included in this lame brain idea? I don't see Plus mentioned anywhere in either regard. I'd expect Hulu Plus subscribers to cancel faster than Netflix subscribers did last year after their price increase if they're dumb enough to include that.

    Besides, with all the cable/sat VOD services & DVRs, why would cable subscribers even care about Hulu? I'd go make a one-time only antenna purchase before I go back to cable.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brian, 30 Apr 2012 @ 5:14pm

    Looks like it's for free users only

    I'm reading on a couple locations, that this applies only to free users, and not to Hulu Plus users. This is more a push to get people to pay for the Hulu plus services, which actually isn't that bad of a business move at all. Even IF you cut the cord on TV, paying for Hulu's service isn't that bad of thing, based on current pricing. Now if they use this to increase costs exponentially, that's when you'll see me have an issue with this.

    To be honest, I don't mind paying the $8 per month for essentially a DVR type service like this.

    If I didn't, I would buy a Digital Antennae and get the content for free, and set up my computer that's hooked up to my TV as a DVR anyway....this is just more convenient, and I'm not opposed to paying for convenience. Isn't that the point??

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Skipperoo (profile), 1 May 2012 @ 4:46am

    Considering more & more are cutting the cable to watch online, this seems SOOO stupid. If the premium subscription services were smart, they'd allow those of us to subscribe directly so as to view/stream online. Services like HBO, Showtime, Epix, etc might gain back viewers and in turn increase their revenue stream.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sheogorath, 1 May 2012 @ 8:07am

    Re: Re: Make your own movies

    "IV? No problem. I already do my own hemodialysis."
    In an emergency situation while extremely sick or in a coma? I'd love to see that!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Netflix, 1 May 2012 @ 9:46am

    Hulu should be destroyed, there greedy bastards! What kind of service makes you pay $7.99 to watch shows with commercials. It's such a stupid premise and I would glad be happy when that site goes down. If they had a grave I would be the first to dance on it

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    bob newhart, 10 Sep 2014 @ 10:30pm

    fuck hulu and hollywood. i will just download my shit via torrents and irc like i have been doing since 98. we dont need these jokers...... we just allow them to exist

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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