'Hulu Plus' Unveiled With Support for iOS Devices: $9.99 Per Month

[JPark]

Sure, when you actually do the math.. hehe.. Thanks for taking the time to break that down for me I see my flaw.

But still.. what if there are two people in the household.. that gets us to 210 GD of TV watched leaving only 40 GB of data for regular internet. So there could still be an issue for people/households that move to internet streaming TV only. Either way, I am sure Comcat will cry poor and put their hands out for more money.

Per coasterswim's math, you've got 306 "tv hrs" per month per household (plus 40GB of misc. internet,. 10 hrs a day. You STILL think that's a problem?

I'd say 250GB is pretty generous. Anybody that runs into that cap has bigger problems than Comcast.

 

[iPhoneFour]

I pay $30-something a month for internet, and I've streamed HD before just fine. I DON'T have cable or satellite (too expensive). I could get this Hulu premium service AND Netflix for the cost of cable.

It's not for everybody, but it's not an outrageous cost.

Ya the triple posters numbers are a tad high. I'm at the unlimited data rate with my iPhone and I'm only 75 bucks. I'm thinking of dropping it to the min so that's another 15 bucks a month in savings. But that doesn't matter, or count (hey want my car payment? It's about as relevant), since I watch programming on my WiFi iPad - not my phone.

My cable internet is with the covenant agreement in my condo, so it's not over-and above my other fees (I pay for it - true - but not outside of my normal fees).

I got the iPad since I don't watch much TV - just iTunes downloads and movies and don't like large screens taking up wall-space.

So my monthly cost for media is / would be 25 bucks (the 3 tv seasons' of shows on iTunes - NetFlix and (perhaps Hulu).

And I'd have to suffer 3 30 second commercial rolls - oh the horror.

 

[wovel]

Is anyone in the trial program? I wonder what the queue section is for. Offline viewing would be great.

 

[supremedesigner]

Hulu today introduced its Hulu Plus premium subscription plan for television content, set to offer customers willing to pay $9.99 per month the ability to access an extensive array of both current television shows and older library content. Hulu Plus, offering content in 720p HD, is also set to move beyond the company's existing computer-centric platform to include Apple's full line of iOS devices, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, with streaming available over Wi-Fi and 3G. Samsung Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players will also be supported at launch, with additional support for Vizio and Sony devices, as well as the PS3 and Xbox 360 gaming platforms, rolling out in the future.Hulu is currently accepting requests for preview invitations to Hulu Plus. The program appears to be rolling out today, although the Hulu Plus application does not yet appear to have been posted to the App Store and it is unclear exactly when preview invitations will begin being distributed. A full, public release date for Hulu Plus is also not yet known.

Article Link: 'Hulu Plus' Unveiled With Support for iOS Devices: $9.99 Per Month

This reminds me of AOL (fee + ads) and I think it's a slightly dumb move but I understand they're trying to make some money. There are some premium services that doesn't offer ads such as me.com, etc. We'll see if this app support closed caption/subtitle or not. Should be interesting...

EDIT: The best thing about hulu (whether it have ads or not) is that they have 30 seconds (more or less) commercial as opposed to 3 long minutes non-sense commercials on TV.

 

[eleven59]

ads AND subscription... no thanks, thats why i refuse to get cable/satellite... why would anyone want to PAY for commercials!! give me free OTA any day if i have to watch ads.. plus its one less bill

 

[coasterswim]

Is anyone in the trial program? I wonder what the queue section is for. Offline viewing would be great.

Hulu has always given people the ability to queue shows.

 

[poppe]

It's pretty surprising how every other post is about how people refuse to pay for something that has ads as well.

Someone responds asking if they pay for cable, movies theaters, magazines, iOS apps, etc. No one responds to it because the next post as already been posted declaring how greedy hulu is, and the cycle continues.

I do understand the argument that for $8.99 a month Netflix is commercial free and is delivering that to your xbox in HD, but for the most part (I stress for the most part) Netflix's TV shows aren't up to date. The ones generally put up there are a season or two behind.

- - - -

One poster said it best by saying something like "the question is not, is it worth 9.99 a month for ad supported content, but is it really worth 9.99 over the free hulu content now." Time will tell, but full seasons, iPad/iPhone, TV, and console integration, sounds pretty worth it to me.


EDIT: What surprises me is that they aren't charging for the iPhone app. Thats where it'd would start to suck.

 

[sonictonic]

$10 isn't bad, especially compared to cable pricing, but I am really bummed you have to pay for ALL content. I was hoping the rumors were true that new stuff would be free and archived content would cost.

Boooooo

 

[JoeG4]

I have Cable TV. And I pay a LOT for it.

It also has commercials.

That's a poor justification IMHO. Simplest reason why: Hulu redistributes over the internet, they only pay to maintain their server hosting. All of their resources are in one building.

Cable & satellite companies distribute ~$200-800 boxes on a sorta unreliable network in an attempt to serve you grossly overpriced content (read: Every TV package out there except basic cable & "family" packages, subsidizes ESPN and other sports crap even if you don't want it).

This is true. IIRC who was it.. Disney that owns ESPN? If you don't pay for ESPN you don't get the Disney channels. F you leechers!

 

[canyonblue737]

it'll be interesting to see how this is integrated into a rumored iOS TV.

i have a feeling it will be integrated just like it is integrated into ipad or iphone. the new apple tv will likely be a screenless iphone sized device running iOS 4 that plugs into your tv via hdmi and via wifi has access to the App store. the apps will likely need to be designed for a non-touch interface but apple will allow a free for all similar to what you see now. as long as hulu, netflix etc. or smaller providers like twit or revision3 are willing to make specific apps apple will now be willing to do the 70/30 revenue split with them.

 

[steve2112]

Everything's revolutionary nowadays :/

You forgot magical. Magical and Revolutionary.

 

[barkomatic]

If they have new episodes of the current season of True Blood I'm in.

 

[badmac78]

Is the $10/mo worth it

Monthly costs...

Cable/Satellite = $150 (if we do premium channels, HD, DVR)
Internet = $40 (with cable)
iPhone $100
iPad = $30 (unlimited)

fewer people being paid, but I am paying a lot for only watching a little.

Or

Internet = $60 (20mbps without cable)
OTA HD + Tivo HD = $10
iPhone = $100
iPad = $30
Netflix = $20 (3 disks + instant watch)
?? Hulu Plus = $10

I still come out ahead IF I decided to get a subscription. Hulu would give me shows from channels that I can't get OTA (SyFy, FX, etc) since I don't have cable.

Math speaks for itself.

 

[intrepid00]

Sadly the app isn't even listing what they currently have on the regular website. Sounds like so far more cost for less since shows (even entire networks) are missing.

 

[pearboss]

I don't know why people are bitching about the ads. It's $10 a month. Regular cable or satellite doesn't get any cheaper than $30 a month and last time I checked commercials are ads too....$10 a month for hulu is awesome and the fact that I can watch tv shows and movies on the go is amazing.

 

[dokein]

subscription based AND ad supported?

Yeah, that will never catch on. Imagine if they tried that with basic cable. Oh, wait...

 

[JPark]

Is anyone in the trial program? I wonder what the queue section is for. Offline viewing would be great.

The queue is so you can "queue up" shows that you want to see. Netflix works on a similar concept. Sorry, no offline viewing.

 

[gkarris]

Yeah, that will never catch on. Imagine if they tried that with basic cable. Oh, wait...

LOL...

People pay for Cable/Sat stations and those all have ads...

Heck, go to any movie theater you paid for and they have ads...

 

[lilo777]

Monthly costs...

Cable/Satellite = $150 (if we do premium channels, HD, DVR)
Internet = $40 (with cable)
iPhone $100
iPad = $30 (unlimited)

fewer people being paid, but I am paying a lot for only watching a little.

Or

Internet = $60 (20mbps without cable)
OTA HD + Tivo HD = $10
iPhone = $100
iPad = $30
Netflix = $20 (3 disks + instant watch)
?? Hulu Plus = $10

I still come out ahead IF I decided to get a subscription. Hulu would give me shows from channels that I can't get OTA (SyFy, FX, etc) since I don't have cable.

Math speaks for itself.

I believe HULU does not have shows from cable channels (like USA, TNT etc.)

 

[sclawis300]

Monthly costs...

Cable/Satellite = $150 (if we do premium channels, HD, DVR)
Internet = $40 (with cable)
iPhone $100
iPad = $30 (unlimited)

fewer people being paid, but I am paying a lot for only watching a little.

Or

Internet = $60 (20mbps without cable)
OTA HD + Tivo HD = $10
iPhone = $100
iPad = $30
Netflix = $20 (3 disks + instant watch)
?? Hulu Plus = $10

I still come out ahead IF I decided to get a subscription. Hulu would give me shows from channels that I can't get OTA (SyFy, FX, etc) since I don't have cable.

Math speaks for itself.

I think you are forgetting one thin...original Hulu = FREE

 

[iSee]

I'd be quite happy to pay $9.99 a month.. but ads too? No thanks.
I'll stick to NetFlix + Free Hulu.

I pay a lot more than 9.99 a month for cable TV and there are plenty of ads. I pay a lot more for internet access too, and most sites I go to are covered in ads.

So this might be OK. It really depends on selection... If I could cancel my cable subscription, e.g., this would be a GREAT deal.

...

Looked over the selection and no dice... Actually it is all my wife's fault. All the stuff we watch that it doesn't have is the crap only she likes:
- AC 360
- Local news
- One of those stupid morning shows

(Well, we watch movies, too, but there are a lot of ways to get those.)

 

[iphone1105]

If they have new episodes of the current season of True Blood I'm in.

Guess you wont, Hulu doesnt carry HBO programming.

 

[Red Comet]

I'm glad I have the choice not to use it instead of getting angry for something I don't own.

 

[DaoFerret]

Yes, a shame this is getting missed. I think a lot of folks probably have no clue that you can receive HD channels in your home with no cable TV service whatsoever. You just have to buy your TV, HD antenna, and pay your electric bill.

If you also buy a photovoltaic system for your roof and some batteries, you can go totally off the grid, no additional payments to the electric company, and still watch your HDTV.

Absolutely true, especially in any of the "major markets".

I ditched cable after the digital conversion, and recently sprang for an updated TiVo w/Lifetime subscription.

The money I saved from cable pays for the TiVo after one year. TiVo also supports NetFlix, BlockBuster and AmazonVideo so I have lots of choice to get "non-broadcast" content (like PPV/OnDemand movies or Cable Only shows that don't show up on Hulu like Dr. Who).

Throw in a PS3 as a DVD/Blu-Ray (not to mention games) and you've got a pretty decent setup that has access to lots of content and sources (Amazon, BlockBuster, NetFlix, PS3 Video Store), has a DVR with decent recording capacity (on the TiVo), Dual Tuners for Over The Air time-shifting (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, WB, ION, PBS, +sub channels with local news and weather 24/7), with no monthly costs (other than the Internet connection I'm already going to pay for).

Yes, there are some things I miss about ditching cable (SciFi Channel, Discovery Channel, Food Network, BBC America). Some of that I can replace via other means, some of it I just do without. With two tuners recording things I might like, there is more than enough for me to watch already, and saving $100 a month is nice.

If I had a chance to "get some of that back" by subscribing to Hulu+ for $10 for an easy to use user interface, and not having to add an HTPC to the existing setup? I'm sold.

I was thinking of dropping a Mac Mini into the mix to handle Hulu and other "Over The Internet" TV, but this could nix that decision.


The main reasons people DON'T think about Over-The-Air broadcasting are:
1) For a long time, especially in big cities where there were a lot of stations, reception was spotty. Digital signals have done a lot to fix this (in my experience).
2) There is something on Cable that they can't picture living without (Sports, Kids Channel, etc.)

If you can get beyond #2 and explore if #1 is still true for you (first step for me was buying an antenna w/amplifier and seeing what signals I got), then it might be worth it for your time.

 

[spazzcat]

That's a poor justification IMHO. Simplest reason why: Hulu redistributes over the internet, they only pay to maintain their server hosting. All of their resources are in one building.

Cable & satellite companies distribute ~$200-800 boxes on a sorta unreliable network in an attempt to serve you grossly overpriced content (read: Every TV package out there except basic cable & "family" packages, subsidizes ESPN and other sports crap even if you don't want it).

This is true. IIRC who was it.. Disney that owns ESPN? If you don't pay for ESPN you don't get the Disney channels. F you leechers!

Those shows are not free. And they may pay every time you watch one, just like Pandora has to pay every time you listen to a song.