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Hulu to begin charging for content in 2010
Do you catch up on your favorite shows online?
Broadcasting and Cable quotes News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey as saying Hulu, an Internet service which currently allows viewers to watch television content online — its slogan is “Watch your favorites. Anytime. For Free.” — will begin charging for some content as early as 2010.
“It’s time to start getting paid for broadcast content online,” Carey said. “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. Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business.”
While Carey did not suggest that users would have to pay for all content, he suggested there could be fees for exclusive content and television previews.
Would you pay for Hulu? Is this a smart move? Sound off.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology
Comments
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By Anne
October 25, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
No. I won't pay for Hulu. I already pay for the shows on my Cable TV bill ... I only go to Hulu when I don't get to watch them. Why would I now pay for them again on Hulu.
By Paul
October 23, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Not a chance. We get nickeled and dimed to death as it is. I don't need TV that bad.
By Larry
October 23, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
Once we start paying for Hulu then it won't be long before we will be paying for everything. Consumers need to support free services.
By YeahISaidit
October 22, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this
Once Hulu starts to charge it will go by way of the dinosaur.
By JT
October 22, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
They would have to give me an awful lot of stuff for me to pay for it. That is, a ton of older shows, a ton of shows from overseas, more movies, more premium channel content. Basically a lot of stuff, and for only up to $15. They'd have to give me everything my tv does, plus all the modern marvels that the internet enables (favourites lists, access whenever I want, unlimited viewing). And I don't think that given our state of technology that I am asking for too much.
By AllofSA.com
October 22, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Paying for this service wouldn't be bad, knowing their history and establishment. I think if they removed the advertisements from shows and provide more and better content with viewer control they'd be able to pull it off.
By steve
October 22, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
I would never pay for content from Hulu. But, I'm pretty cheap...I mean, frugal.
By Joel
October 22, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
I would not pay for it as they are many other recources available to watch said videos online free of charge
By jeff
October 22, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
"The more Hulu tightens its grip, the more star systems will slip through its fingers."
By Jerrett White
October 22, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
Capitalism RULZ!, high five media conglomerates. They have to kick those bonuses back into gear somehow, right...right?
By Aaron Bramley
October 22, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
While I don't like the idea of having to pay for content on Hulu because I've received it for free for so long, I understand the move. I would pay for it if I could get it to consistently work on my Apple TV, with Boxee or without.
A partnership with iTunes and Apple would make lots of sense, to get "channels" right into iTunes and iPods. After all, I hate that I can't rent TV shows.
By Jenn Davis
October 22, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
I would absolutely pay for some content on Hulu, especially if it means I have more control over what I can watch and when (for example, I would love to see more premium channel content, or remove some of those time restrictions that impact content availability).