Like Brent, I read that the Adobe Air Hulu-scraping software MyMediaPlayer can no longer access Hulu video streams. Most coverage has portrayed the situation as Hulu, LLC targeting this specific program. But Hulu periodically tweaks the way they serve content, requiring unsupported third parties to make changes. I’ve seen it a few times with PlayOn, but this developer isn’t interested in keeping up.
In general, I think we (tv-viewing consumers) all agree Hulu should be more liberal in sharing their advertising-laden programming (poor Boxee) and/or provide additional outlets: television hardware, mobile clients, etc. And, in fact, that may indeed be the case… Recently announced media streamer ZillionTV (below) is financially backed by Hulu’s studio founders, NBC and Fox (among others).
Ted Malone of Sling Media is in agreement. Despite a business relationship with Hulu, or perhaps because, he’s called them out in the comments on NewTeeVee:
Hulu needs to start acting like a platform and less like a cable company. […] As long as customers are accessing Hulu’s content (with Hulu’s ads), where is the problem? […] Bad move Hulu.
While I certainly understand and support his position, he of all people should realize the content providers are still somewhat skittish and the situation is complex – in terms of licensing, quality of service (QoS) concerns, regional restrictions, getting paid… and other sticking points we’re probably not aware of. Though, given Sling’s growing stable of studio relationships, they should be. But I’m all for whatever it takes for Sling to pipe Hulu content directly to my SlingCatcher without a PC in the mix. Make it so, Ted.
“While I certainly understand and support his position, he of all people should realize the content providers are still somewhat skittish and the situation is complex – in terms of licensing, quality of service (QoS) concerns, regional restrictions, getting paid… and other sticking points we’re probably not aware of.”
…no, it’s just plain old greed. That’s all.
For all their press releases, slick GUI, and improving content, the decision makers at Hulu are now, will always be, super old school dinosaurs who take no action to innovate or serve the best interests of the user…solely because there is no money in it.
Oh yeah – w00t! for Mr. Malone
I can foresee it now. Beholden to cable companies, like tivo, Hulu is never going to fully reach it’s potential.
Way to go old media, screwing up progress is what you have become known for.
AO
everybody has been mentioning how Hulu broke MyMediaPlayer – but it may be that they just aren’t very savvy about the the way they update their own service. For instance their own mini-player (http://tinyurl.com/hulu-mini-viewer) is working now but was down for longer than the scheduled maintenance window
I think the big problem Hulu (or more appropriately Hulu’s content providers) have is that when you make Hulu available from a TV-connected device, people may realize that they don’t need to subscribe to cable or satellite TV services anymore. Even with ads in the stream of Hulu content, if it caused a shrinking subscriber base from “traditional” outlets, that would be seen as a very bad thing I’m sure.
A computer-based web-experience however is seen as an alternate/inferior experience to watch on TV, so not a threat to cable/sat.
That’s my guess why Hulu is so steadfast in their defense/refusal-to-partner with TV-based experiences.
Yeah, not impressed with the Hulu/Boxee thing, but it feels like part of the larger evolution going on right now. Hulu is cutting back on the number of shows available, now only the most recent 5 (“go buy the DVDs!”). The Daily Show from yesterday isn’t on Hulu any more, you have to wait until the following week. CBS content dropped from Hulu after dispute.
I understand why they made the move. Think they should be clear about what they want though… why are other methods of getting Hulu onto the TV immune from prosecution? Like the Sony PS3 or that DVD Ripper thing, can’t remember the name. Or even a media center PC hooked up to my TV? Which ones are they okay with?
Also there will be winners and losers here. With the TV.com application on the iPhone, CBS is clearly striking out on their own. Maybe CBS will embrace new media while Fox and NBC will retreat? Who will win?