Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
10-22-09 | 01:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blo...d=20116&q=hulu
Chase Carey: Hulu to Charge in 2010
October 21, 2009
News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey opened the B&C OnScreen summit to discuss where he sees the business going. “It’s time to start getting paid for broadcast content online,” he said. Carey said that while everyone cites the infamous Jeff Zucker quip that “We’re exchanging analogue dollars for digital dimes,” the industry continues to do exactly that. The strategy needs to be more than just fighting piracy and Google, he says.
“I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value,” Carey said. “Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business.”
AdVerse had a quick chat with Carey too and posed the question, when exactly does Hulu start charging then? Carey, who says he’s only been to one Hulu board meeting since arriving at News Corp., suggests there is still no timeline but supposes it’s at least in 2010. Carey says that while throwing up a pay-wall around all content is not the answer, it doesn’t mean there wont be fees for some specially-created content and TV previews. Windows are just around the corner. American Idol audition previews anyone? Mobile Hulu is another potential way of making money.
So what changes if and when Comcast takes the NBCU seat at the Hulu table alongside News Corp. and Disney? Comcast has very different thoughts about how to charge for online content. Carey sees the authentication strategy as a good first move, but describes it as defensive, and told me he doesn’t see how it creates additional revenue.
And then there are the regulatory hurdles facing a Comcast deal for NBCU which could result in a delay of at least a year before Comcast gets to really run the show.
Chase Carey: Hulu to Charge in 2010
October 21, 2009
News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey opened the B&C OnScreen summit to discuss where he sees the business going. “It’s time to start getting paid for broadcast content online,” he said. Carey said that while everyone cites the infamous Jeff Zucker quip that “We’re exchanging analogue dollars for digital dimes,” the industry continues to do exactly that. The strategy needs to be more than just fighting piracy and Google, he says.
“I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value,” Carey said. “Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business.”
AdVerse had a quick chat with Carey too and posed the question, when exactly does Hulu start charging then? Carey, who says he’s only been to one Hulu board meeting since arriving at News Corp., suggests there is still no timeline but supposes it’s at least in 2010. Carey says that while throwing up a pay-wall around all content is not the answer, it doesn’t mean there wont be fees for some specially-created content and TV previews. Windows are just around the corner. American Idol audition previews anyone? Mobile Hulu is another potential way of making money.
So what changes if and when Comcast takes the NBCU seat at the Hulu table alongside News Corp. and Disney? Comcast has very different thoughts about how to charge for online content. Carey sees the authentication strategy as a good first move, but describes it as defensive, and told me he doesn’t see how it creates additional revenue.
And then there are the regulatory hurdles facing a Comcast deal for NBCU which could result in a delay of at least a year before Comcast gets to really run the show.
10-22-09 | 01:55 PM
#2
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
I've read numerous reports that Hulu is a money losing venture right now, so this doesn't surprise me.
10-22-09 | 01:56 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Wait a minute... isn't the majority of the TV content free over the air anyway? Am I not watching commercials when I catch up with Heroes on Hulu? WTF? This is just a dumb idea. Add more commercials (if you can even FIND the advertisers). Otherwise, farewell to you, Hulu.
10-22-09 | 01:59 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
fuck you Hulu.
10-22-09 | 02:02 PM
#9
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
It's not happening right now. So use it as much as you need to.
I use Hulu strictly to catch up on stuff when my DVR starts getting full.
I use Hulu strictly to catch up on stuff when my DVR starts getting full.
10-22-09 | 02:12 PM
#10
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Okay read this article from TVBYTHENUMBERS.COM
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/10/22...-in-2010/31223
Apparently, Hulu cannot charge for shows that NBC, ABC and FOX already give away for free anyways. Otherwise, they might as well shut down right now because people will go to the network sites instead.
However, they could however start charging for content from cable like Sons of Anarchy on FX or Burn Notice on USA because those are cable shows and they rely of subscription fees to make money.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/10/22...-in-2010/31223
Apparently, Hulu cannot charge for shows that NBC, ABC and FOX already give away for free anyways. Otherwise, they might as well shut down right now because people will go to the network sites instead.
However, they could however start charging for content from cable like Sons of Anarchy on FX or Burn Notice on USA because those are cable shows and they rely of subscription fees to make money.
Last edited by DJariya; 10-22-09 at 02:17 PM.
10-22-09 | 02:25 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Never watched anything on hulu. I have watched some stuff on the networks websites however. I wouldnt pay for either service. If Hulu wants to charge thats fine, but it shoudl only be for stuff that isnt currently airing on its main broadcast channel, IE fox, NBC, CBS, etc. Older shows that are not currently in production and cable stuff they should eb able to charge for.
10-22-09 | 02:34 PM
#12
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
When they charge, I'll stop using them. I would rather go back to paying for cable and at least being able to skip the commercials, then I will pay for Hulu and be forced to sit through commercials.
10-22-09 | 02:49 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
10-22-09 | 02:50 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
So the grand plan is to charge the people now so they can make money? Riiiight. A free model is difficult? If advertisers dont want to give you money because there isnt enough potential customers now when its free, what happens when everyone leaves when you charge them?
10-22-09 | 02:55 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
About the only way I'd pay for Hulu is if it were available through my TiVo and it was an affordable monthly fee (like $10-$15).
I don't pay the obnoxious $2-$3 per episode through Amazon or iTunes now, I won't with Hulu either.
I don't pay the obnoxious $2-$3 per episode through Amazon or iTunes now, I won't with Hulu either.
10-22-09 | 03:24 PM
#17
Suspended
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
I refuse to pay $2 an episode through iTunes either and sometimes use Hulu to catch up on episodes I missed. They'll just drive people to finding other ways to watch shows for free. With TV/BD players allowing streaming or playing 'movie' files through USB it'll be even easier.
10-22-09 | 03:27 PM
#18
DVD Talk Godfather
10-22-09 | 03:59 PM
#19
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
What's funny, is they can't charge for the network stuff, but want to charge for the cable stuff.
Ironically, Comcast OnDemand has CBS shows for free, no ABC or FOX, NBC is $0.99 (SD) and $1.99 (HD) an episode, and all the cable network stuff is free.
Ironically, Comcast OnDemand has CBS shows for free, no ABC or FOX, NBC is $0.99 (SD) and $1.99 (HD) an episode, and all the cable network stuff is free.
10-22-09 | 05:20 PM
#20
Banned
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Well, Hulu and the people that came with the idea of charging can go an fuck themselves. There are many ways of getting the same content for free. Welcome to the Internet era fucktards.
10-22-09 | 05:42 PM
#21
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Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
I just went there for the first time and it's pretty cool. I like the variety of shows but I hate watching online videos that skip and stutter and I don't like watching tv on the computer in general. I'm attemtping to watch an episode of the Munsters Today (please don't judge me :-)) and it's crazy skipping.
10-22-09 | 05:47 PM
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Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
When they start charging is when they become a footnote in internet history. Something else will replace them.
10-22-09 | 06:11 PM
#23
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Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Wait a minute... isn't the majority of the TV content free over the air anyway? Am I not watching commercials when I catch up with Heroes on Hulu? WTF? This is just a dumb idea. Add more commercials (if you can even FIND the advertisers). Otherwise, farewell to you, Hulu.
Agree 100%
Oh well....
10-22-09 | 07:10 PM
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
I can't get with the pay per episode thing. It just never feels like it's worth it to me, especially because it's so easy to watch these things for free anyway. It's a shame too because there are shows I would like to watch in HD on my 360, but they're too price prohibitive. However, if Hulu went the Netflix route, and let me pay $10 a month to have access to everything? I would do that in a second. Hell, they could still run a few commercials during the shows too (say one before the ep and one after). When it comes to this kind of stuff, it's all about the subscription model.
10-22-09 | 07:19 PM
#25
Banned
Re: Hulu to start charging for content as early as 2010
Really? Isn't that a bit of an overreaction?
I can't get with the pay per episode thing. It just never feels like it's worth it to me, especially because it's so easy to watch these things for free anyway. It's a shame too because there are shows I would like to watch in HD on my 360, but they're too price prohibitive. However, if Hulu went the Netflix route, and let me pay $10 a month to have access to everything? I would do that in a second. Hell, they could still run a few commercials during the shows too (say one before the ep and one after). When it comes to this kind of stuff, it's all about the subscription model.
I can't get with the pay per episode thing. It just never feels like it's worth it to me, especially because it's so easy to watch these things for free anyway. It's a shame too because there are shows I would like to watch in HD on my 360, but they're too price prohibitive. However, if Hulu went the Netflix route, and let me pay $10 a month to have access to everything? I would do that in a second. Hell, they could still run a few commercials during the shows too (say one before the ep and one after). When it comes to this kind of stuff, it's all about the subscription model.
What will happen to Hulu? It will have fewer visits, which means less ad revenue, which means that they will need to cut cost by firing staff, or just closing the site. Then, all the writers, actors, etc, will lose another stream of income and again, they will blame it all on piracy, when in fact it was just corporate idiocy that killed the site.