Overblown. It will likely move to a freemium model. Everyone made fun of Hulu before it launched, but it ended up being quite good - there's no reason to think they don't understand the impact of making it pay-only.
Don't worry, Hulu's mission has always been to help people find and enjoy the world's premium, professionally produced content. We continue to believe that the ad-supported, free service is the one that resonates most with the largest group of users and any possible new business models would serve to complement our existing offering.
I agree that this is much ado about nothing. I would expect that the pay version would remove the ads, or offer content sooner (eliminate the 1 day delay for most TV shows).
Or allow greater back catalog access. "want to watch that whole season you missed?" it would compete directly with Netflix and Amazon on demand that way.
Or to allow streaming to set top boxes. If they want to compete with netflix that'd be a great way to do it. What makes so great netflix (beyond selection and the ability to drop down to a dvd in the mail) is the ability to easily stream to a tv. Relaxing on the couch is a way better watching experience than in the chair in front of the computer I sit in all day.
http://gizmodo.com/5387909/hulus-glorious-free-days-are-offi...
Don't worry, Hulu's mission has always been to help people find and enjoy the world's premium, professionally produced content. We continue to believe that the ad-supported, free service is the one that resonates most with the largest group of users and any possible new business models would serve to complement our existing offering.
Thanks,
Betina Chan-Martin
Hulu