Hulu for iPad Likely to Be a Paid Subscription Service

[PeterQVenkman]

why are people making a big deal over something they don't even know is going to happen? To many people take anything on the net as fact. if they do charge and the price is worth it to you pay it. and if it is not worth it don't pay and find another site. and why are ipad haters even in the thread we get it you don't like it you are not buying it so why do you care so much about it.

I think people are up in arms because the iPad's purpose seems to be to further monetize some markets and while driving up the price of some pre-existing markets. eBooks just got more expensive, hulu is going to a pay model, iTunes songs for the most part went up 33% (where amazon has the same songs/albums cheaper). It's just the start. And we can thank Apple for that. it's good for business. The business of keeping Apple profitable.

People want the awesome devices, but we're getting tired of increasingly expensive micro-transactions and additional monthly fees.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Apple didn't do it, Hulu is doing it.

True, but Apple enables and promoting this behavior.

 

[str1f3]

I think it's funny that almost every time there is an iPad story it receives more negatives than positives.

 

[Peter Harrison]

This guy is hilarious:

Honestly... just lol...


Newspaper subscription(s)...

Hulu subscription...

3G payments...

App Store...

iBooks...

Hezuz only knows what other subscription(s)...


Disaster!


Forget it...

You included things that aren't subscriptions. iBooks, App Store... and even 3G (which usually ties you into a contract) is pay-as-you-go on the iPad (in the US at least).

Steve take your iPad and surf on it to your retirement asap please!!!!!

I like how it's Steve's fault that Hulu wants money! If Steve Jobs retired tomorrow, do you think Hulu wouldn't want to charge?

This website annoys me so much, which isn't fair to the creators. But ignoring Youtube, I don't think I've ever seen so many retarded comments/posts on a website before. Unbelievable. Not just this thread, I mean all of the topics in general.

 

[Hmac]

Surf the channel, mega video, bit torrent, Tube sites...

Yup, I believe ALL of them will remain "free". And none of them are available on the Iphone or Ipad.

I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point in the future, you'd have to buy a subscription to see YouTube, eBaum's World, etc etc. Lot's of internet content has far more value than those providers are deriving. I don't see that as a situation that will sustain itself forever. The paradigm in a free-market society is that people pay for things that have value. Entertainment is one of those things. Just a matter of time.

 

[Azmordean]

I mean seriously, RETARDED... Aren't laptops "mobile devices" as well. I love how just because apple creates a game changer, then people discriminate on what it is or isn't. If Hulu wants to charge, they should charge across the entire platform.

If Apple supported Flash thered be no way for Hulu to prevent iPad users from accessing it.

you Apple lovers miss the point of the iPad. This type of thing is the point. To monetize the delivery of web content with Apple being in the position of broker. I'm no Apple hater but I honestly believe they are trying to position themselves as a broker of content. Music, video, ebooks... they want to be the provider of online and digital content and they don't want or plan to do it for free. The iPad is a big step in this direction. The idea is that moving people off of open computers and onto locked down "appliances" like iPad and iPhone will make the transition to controlled, monetized content smoother.

Apple long ago transformed from computer company to electronics company. Now they are transforming again - or trying to - into a media/content broker. Make no mistake - the devices themselves are not the point, merely tools to push this transition forward.

 

[kiljoy616]

If Apple supported Flash thered be no way for Hulu to prevent iPad users from accessing it.

you Apple lovers miss the point of the iPad. This type of thing is the point. To monetize the delivery of web content with Apple being in the position of broker. I'm no Apple hater but I honestly believe they are trying to position themselves as a broker of content. Music, video, ebooks... they want to be the provider of online and digital content and they don't want or plan to do it for free. The iPad is a big step in this direction

You may be totally right, but is it bad that the question, if the price is right, we could see a whole new world of entertainment at our hands, but I do see issues with 3G speeds, so I wonder how that will play out, unless 3G is about to jump up a few fold in speed?

I know one thing, ipad will rock for education, will not replace the laptop but people will not have to use it as much, like to also see HTML5 take off. I like some of the stuff it can do. I love iTune U and the ipad makes it easy to use it anywhere without having to pull out every time a laptop.

 

[cfountain72]

why are people making a big deal over something they don't even know is going to happen? To many people take anything on the net as fact. if they do charge and the price is worth it to you pay it. and if it is not worth it don't pay and find another site. and why are ipad haters even in the thread we get it you don't like it you are not buying it so why do you care so much about it.

Because, for better or worse, a lot of us care about the company and want to see it succeed. Maybe we own AAPL shares. Maybe we have a lot invested in their hardware. Maybe some of us are employees.

I don't question Apple's (or Hulu's) right to make decisions. But I do question decisions which may help push Apple back to being a fringe/margin player (or worse.)

As many others have (and continue to do), I applaud SJ for his vision, for turning Apple around, and for providing us with great products to choose from. But that doesn't mean he can't make mistakes. As we've seen with some presidents, leaders who become too isolated can fail to appreciate this very fact.

Peace be with you.

 

[RazHyena]

then why are you in a thread about the ipad if it is a joke?

Because it was something that I and many others had great interest in until further details revealed that instead of a useful, portable unit, it's a gimmicky subscription based content providing ipod touch XXL.

Needless to say, there's MUCH room for improvement.

 

[Eidorian]

If Apple supported Flash thered be no way for Hulu to prevent iPad users from accessing it.

you Apple lovers miss the point of the iPad. This type of thing is the point. To monetize the delivery of web content with Apple being in the position of broker. I'm no Apple hater but I honestly believe they are trying to position themselves as a broker of content. Music, video, ebooks... they want to be the provider of online and digital content and they don't want or plan to do it for free. The iPad is a big step in this direction. The idea is that moving people off of open computers and onto locked down "appliances" like iPad and iPhone will make the transition to controlled, monetized content smoother.

Apple long ago transformed from computer company to electronics company. Now they are transforming again - or trying to - into a media/content broker. Make no mistake - the devices themselves are not the point, merely tools to push this transition forward.

I'll be sticking with Windows Media Center, XBMC, Linux, and the library for my content. They can pry ATSC from my cold dead hands.

I do seem to remember calling the iSlate a device of the app/content store some time ago. I don't want an iToaster.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Your missing the point, considering its the networks that run it, I can see them adding a lot of content over time plus things like hourly news, the possibilities are endless with pay subscription. The real question is will they have the B*lls to take the chance and do it. That is the 100 million dollar question.

Love to see HBO specials on there also, I am so tired of the lame 10 religion channels I pay just to have cable.

And don't forget what happens if they take the shot and it gains mass acceptance (we pay a subscription for this in hopes of dropping cable/satt). Who would feel the pain of mass migration to Internet-delivered TV distribution. And who owns the broadband pipes through which this Internet-delivered TV would flow? Now what do you think these players would do to make up for the loss in cable/satt TV subscriptions? And now you know why it is that same group of companies in the broadband business too.

 

[Azmordean]

You may be totally right, but is it bad that the question, if the price is right, we could see a whole new world of entertainment at our hands, but I do see issues with 3G speeds, so I wonder how that will play out, unless 3G is about to jump up a few fold in speed?

I know one thing, ipad will rock for education, will not replace the laptop but people will not have to use it as much, like to also see HTML5 take off. I like some of the stuff it can do. I love iTune U and the ipad makes it easy to use it anywhere without having to pull out every time a laptop.

I do personally think it is a bad thing. That aside I'm not saying iPad doesn't have other good uses. Students is one (as a sort of advanced reader). Medical field is another huge one.

But as for content, I like the free, occasionally chaotic internet. I don't want an easy controlled experience. I think for now there is room for both paradigms - this is why I like Android over iPhone. I worry though that in time the internet may become increasingly fragmented as a result of attempted monetization and control.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Well, if I buy an iPad, it will be for Brushes, or Sketchbook Pro, not the crippled Internet Experience.

But I don't think anyone should be surprised that the internet is becoming more like TV, with tiered services, and pay-per-view type events. It seemed like a logical conclusion.

Following your logic. Majority of AT&T customers are leaving Jobs dream for years. BTW, are you aware of Cellular Video. This service is free with any capable cell phone. My son rakes gigabytes a month (free of charge) by watching any TV show he wants on "free" LG Shine and video/audio quality is superior to my crappy iPhone youtube.

 

[Hmac]

True, but Apple enables and promoting this behavior.

Hell, are you kidding? They're brokering it. I'll bet Steve Jobs has Hulu's CEO on speed dial on his iPhone.

The subscription model for online entertainment was absolutely inevitable. Who is better positioned to take advantage than Apple?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Replace my cable subscription at a fraction of the cost, with better programming, easier searching etc. and I'll make the trade.

That just won't happen. These companies don't have any incentive to kill an established cash cow and replace it with something else at a "fraction of the cost". If they killed the cable/satt company business middleman, they would simply want the revenues that the cable/satt players made for themselves.

There is no dramatic cut in user fees coming if this plays all the way out, just a shift in where the same amount of user fees flow. And again, if you think they'll simply cut out the cable/satt middlemen, think about who controls your broadband pipe through which this new Internet-delivered cable-like service would have to flow.

 

[-=XX=-Nephilim]

I might be considered an Apple crusade, I have got 3 Apple PC, 2 older 2005 models and 1 2009 MacBook Pro, I have also advocated for about 4 people to get their MacMinis as the main computer set ups. I have bought a total of 4 Ipod/Itouch/Iphone combos and currently have at least 4 Ipod/Iphone combos, but I will be not deluded to think that the Ipad is worth much more than just a standard Ebook reader. The price ratio for what is provides or mostly lacks to provide is uncomfortably close to a low end MacBook and the like and if you just add a wireless card dongle to give you mobile broadband, it will do Flash and some other stuff much better than the Pad.

So flame me people all you want, for not saying that the Ipad is a game changer, it is too expensive to have many people adopting it and I am thinking about the fragility of the units on the go. I am not payin' not friggin' cents more for questionable, unreliable 3G service that has been so emasculated due to AT&T craptacular networks. You have to call it what it is, people have got to get real.

Moreover, the idea of "carrying" 200 books on a Ipad for vacation? What kind of nonsense is that, people can barely read a book on Summer vacation somewhere, but carrying 200 books that have been paid for, no sense whatsoever. Nevertheless, if they have $$$$$ to burn, be welcome, in these economic times not too many people will have that sort of money to burn.

I buy my books, physically, through either used or super discounted prices from Amazon, I got no regrets about it.

Awesome post!

quote: "... The price ratio for what is provides or mostly lacks to provide is uncomfortably close to a low end MacBook..."

And not only the price! But physical size too! It is just marginally smaller than entry level MB - which does and offers so much more...

But yeah - welcome to the wonderful world of SJ where things which were free or cheap yesterday will be charged at premium price tomorrow.

Total and utter disaster...

Not only that this device needs boycotting but Apple as a whole so that guys get clear and loud message not to treat us as bunch of fools

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I think it's funny that almost every time there is an iPad story it receives more negatives than positives.

...on a site heavily loaded with Apple's biggest fans... people so interested in Apple and what is coming, that we'll read and even participate in discussions about a lot of "what if" stuff. If Apple's biggest fans lean to the negative, what do you think about the prospect of the iPad as a hot product?

 

[Amnak]

Wow no one reads the previous post do they?
Hulu will almost definitely go subscription on all platforms soon at least on all mobile devices... my ps3 can't stream hulu :/.
And many of you are holding these other tablet devices as the end all device... get a grip the HP slate doesn't exist yet! So we don't even know how well they will function Flash or not.

 

[nelmat]

True, but Apple enables and promoting this behavior.

What utter ****
It's called a free market economy, Apple are part of it, they no more 'promote or allow it' than any other profit driven company. Apple allow developers to charge people for their applications. OK. Wow - that's a unique concept, and evil to the core?! lmao.

Hulu are about to start charging for their service - irrespective of platform.

As Hulu is only available in the US anyway, this is a non-story for the majority of mac users.

 

[Hmac]

But yeah - welcome to the wonderful world of SJ where things which were free or cheap yesterday will be charged at premium price tomorrow.

Total and utter disaster...

Not only that this device needs boycotting but Apple as a whole so that guys get clear and loud message not to treat us as bunch of fools

Sheesh. Head-in-sand much? People have been trying to figure out how to squeeze more money out of the "free" internet since the internet came into existence. And the more ubiquitous it becomes, the more frantic they are all getting. This has nothing to do with Steve Jobs. He's just the first one that with the tools and imagination enough to figure out a way to capitalize on internet money-for-content. How nobody saw all this coming the day the iTunes store opened is beyond me.

If you want to worry about someone...worry about your Congressman. He wants to put his hand in your pocket for internet access too. And somehow, he's going to figure out a way to do it.

 

[smiddlehurst]

If only Apple would allow Flash, this wouldn't be a problem. Free Hulu all you want.

Umm, what makes you think Hulu will STAY free? They've been talking about charging for some time now, although the exact details are still to be discussed. Their current business model is surely not sustainable just on advertising revenue alone and I can't imagine their partners are thrilled about free access to their products if a more profitable alternative exists.

More than likely they'll go the same route as Spotify - basic free access to a limited range of content, premium paid-for access to the whole library with some options (maybe the ability to download rather than just stream would be a possibiliy here?). But make no mistake here, the odds are vastly in favour of Hulu introducing charges across ALL of it's services at some point in the not too distant future. The trick will be finding the right balance between free and paid-for content and offering decent value to subscribers.

 

[azazel-]

I wonder what Apple would do If Hulu changed all of it's content to HTML5 (which Apple is said to prefer). Greed is a bitch.

Um...still charge a subscription? This has jack **** to do with flash. Hulu needs money to stay afloat. Not sure why some of you clowns can't get that through your thick skulls, but then again, everything on this site must be twisted into a slam on Apple.

 

[dukebound85]

Um...still charge a subscription? This has jack **** to do with flash. Hulu needs money to stay afloat. Not sure why some of you clowns can't get that through your thick skulls, but then again, everything on this site must be twisted into a slam on Apple.

if they need it to stay afloat then how come we, think skull clowns, arent having to subscribe already

 

[Jesus on OSX]

Paid subscription for something I can get for free on television and a computer. Ich don't think so.

If Hulu subscription model proves profitable on the iPad (which it will) expect the Web version to follow.

I'd rather pay a monthly fee for access to programming than watch stupid ads.

It's quite amazing how many people on these forums have this sense of entitlement that everything should be given away. Bandwidth, servers, and workforce costs money. Those PSA's that run on Hulu aren't even covering 10% of the infrastructure that serves these videos.

 

[Rot'nApple]

Honestly... just lol...


Newspaper subscription(s)...

Hulu subscription...

3G payments...

App Store...

iBooks...

Hezuz only knows what other subscription(s)...


Disaster!


Forget it...

Steve has to get the iPad back up to that magical under $1000.00 er, $999.00 price point.

Have you ever known Apple to do things on the cheap. I'm not talking about Apple products... just look on their website for Apple picks... they always choose the gazillion dollar gadget, camera, camcorder, etc. "Professional's Choice" I believe they call it.

Welcome to the new media...