Viacom's decision to yank several of its most popular Comedy Central programs from Hulu, the instant streaming Web site that offers free TV episodes, might be viewed as the latest evidence of growing tension between TV content providers and purveyors.
On March 9, Hulu will lose streaming rights to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report, among its most-watched shows. (You’ll be able to catch them on the Comedy Central site, under its Videos link.) The New York Times reports that more than 44 million viewers visit Hulu each month, and video views soared to more than 1 billion (yes, billion with a B) in December. (Do you use sites like Hulu or others? Go to the comments section at the end of this blog to weigh in and see what others have to say.)
Hulu is putting a good face on the split, bidding “a fond farewell” to the programs and remarking in its blog “for now, these shows are rotating off the service.”
But industry observers see this as evidence that sites like Hulu (and rival Fancast) are “vulnerable to the whims of content providers,” as the New York Post put it.
Hulu—a joint venture of NBC, Fox, and ABC—made its debut in March 2008. (Note that CBS is the only one of the Big Four broadcasters that didn't join in.) Hulu currently carries new and classic TV programs, sporting events, movies, and other videos from nearly 190 companies, according to its Web site.
I’ve visited Hulu and similar sites, including networks’ own sites like PBS, a number of times to catch shows I missed and forgot to record on my DVR. I’ve found it a great convenience and love the fact that it’s free—but I’ve also wondered if this makes much sense from a business perspective. According to the Times article, Hulu has yet to make a profit from ads. There have been reports that Hulu has considered the idea of a pay model, especially since cable giant Comcast bought a majority share of NBC, one of Hulu's backers.
What's your opinion? Do you think these sites should be free, or would you be willing to pay (and how much) for the privilege of watching TV online at your convenience. Let us, and other readers, know.
—Eileen McCooey
