Hulu just announced their long anticipated subscription service, Hulu+. Let's just say, it's not going over very well. First off what is Hulu+? The popular internet video streaming site Hulu, which up until now has provided TV streaming over the internet and ad supported has announced a $9.99/month subscription service. For $9.99/month you get:
More Content – back episode of your favorite shows (in some cases entire past and current seasons)
More Devices – there's an App for the iDevices and there is support for internet enabled devices such as blu-ray players, various Samsung TV's and promised support for the Sony PS3, Xbox, Sony TVs/Blu-ray players and Vizio TVs/Blu-ray players.
Sounds good, but is it worth $9.99 a month?
In a word – NO! I could never see paying for this. I'm into TV, but as long as I have a Slingbox and can watch the shows I've already recorded on the go streaming from my own house over the internet at no additional cost, why would I pay a subscription fee to see "some" shows? Apparently I'm not alone. The Hulu+ App for iPhone/iPad is getting hammered in the reviews on the App Store for this very reason. Not only is Hulu wanting to charge for what you can already see streaming in Flash on their site, but they are going to still have Ads too!
Don't get me wrong. I have no problem paying for content and great technology. However, I can't see paying an additional $9.99 on top of everything else I pay for unless it was going to be a complete replacement or it offered something better like NO ADS!