No Hulu, How Could You!

I love Hulu. Love it so much … Now I find that it’s stabbing me in the back … and wants me to pay for service.

At an industry summit in NYC on Oct. 21, News Corp Deputy Chairman Chase Carey revealed that online video hub Hulu will begin charging users for content as soon as 2010, according to Broadcasting and Cable. Carey told reporters that a subscription system is likely, although some content will probably continue to be offered free of charge. “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,” he said. (EW)

I’ve always throught Hulu was the best thing to happen to televison in a long time. When I watch real TV, run through my wonderful TIVO, I never watch commericials - Never! Even if I’m across the room making food, I will get my remote and fast forward through them. But with Hulu, I have to watch, I have no option not to. I’ve always wondered why the networks didn’t put up MORE programing, full seasons of shows, not only two or three episodes - If they had, for instance, every episode of 30 Rock, I would be watching NBC commericals daily, instead of how often I do now - which is never.

(And don’t get me started on FOX not uploading an episode of House until EIGHT DAYS AFTER IT BROADCASTS! It’s not like there are 3,000 streaming sites or ways to download the episodes if I wanted to see it before then [which I would never do, of course, since that would be illegal]. I want to watch House on your site, FOX, commercials and all, but you won’t let me!)

If Hulu really goes through with this and begins charging, then TV is taking a major step backwards. I mean, look at what happened to Napster when it started asking for money. When was the last time anyone talked about Napster on a blog. I bet that takes you back to the awesome year of 1999! Woohoo.

ps. 1999 was awful.