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Well, we’ve known about this for awhile, but now we have a possible date to serve as confirmation of all of our worst online TV-watching fears. The LA Times is reporting that Hulu, pretty much the best free, legal TV and Movie watching site on the planet, will begin its subscription service in late May. The price will be $9.95 per month to access Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus will give you access to episodes beyond Hulu’s standard of five trailing episodes. It’s an interesting tactic for a couple of reasons in my mind.
1. Clearly the television executives have been paying attention to what has happened to music and movies since the digital age has “ravaged” those two. Seeing their failure to adapt has proven a cautionary tale for the big wigs in television and rightfully so. Don’t get me wrong, I want Hulu as free as Red at the end of Shawshank, but I understand that it’s a business and they’ve given us 2 whole years of glorious free, streaming beauty without consequence to us the viewer. But streaming video is also a piping hot market, giving much competition to the sales of DVD (no real research to back that up) I would guess. And there is already a large group of people who know and like Hulu who can be exploited to make a buck. Capitalism! It’s actually kind of encouraging to see media executives trying to adapt to the current market. I would gather improvements in service and advertising will continue with the paid service while those of us free wheelers will continue to soak up our 5 trailing episodes, while not venturing too far into the realm of trying new shows.
2. Which is my second point. This will certainly deter people from taking a chance on a show and this is what makes me saddest about the whole idea. There are so many well-made, poorly- marketed, lowly-watched shows that get a second life or chance by being up for free on Hulu, a service to these shows which is invaluable. For example, Arrested Development is a show which I know gained some legs with another group of viewers simply by being free and accessible. Sure, I know, AD was already canceled by the time Hulu came around, but I can’t help but think shows of its ilk (well-made shows with small, devout followings) would benefit from extra exposure. Something that will be lost when Hulu begins their paid subscription service.
3. Hulu has been this strange little, amazing experiment to this point. Several networks banding together to offer their shows for free to fans. It’s actually one of the coolest things going in the entertainment world and I don’t think that will change. What WILL change is the public’s opinion of it, which is a shame. Hulu has personally offered me HOURS of unbridled joy. Sure that’s a bold statement for television, but it’s true. Hulu offered a channel to save time while still being caught up on your favorite shows. It was such an effective measure of popularity that it was added to the ratings measurement system. It’s this functioning Frankenstein which has changed the way we consume our television media. Changing the very nature of that system will not go unnoticed by the consumer and I’ll be interested to see how Hulu Plus is received.
Hulu in Lego Form
Hulu will be going on an interesting ride over the next few months. There are certainly going to be naysayers and there will be those who adopt without asking a question. The fact that they are still allowing the 5 trailing episodes for free will soften the blow, but I also think it will hurt Hulu Plus, which may then force Hulu to push the price onto the site as a whole. If that happens, expect an angry mob to form, Hulu, expect it.
So Ramblers, are you ready to get your pitchforks and torches? Or will you gladly pay the extra cash to have access to Hulu Plus?
How do you think it will affect cable tv providers with everyone switching to internet on demand watching? do you think the quality of shows available on cable channels will decrease? will there be advertising fights?