While I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about Hulu, the new online video site from NBC and News Corp, here's one thing I will say for it: The site will feature BSG episodes. And a whole lot of other programs too, it turns out. Between FOX and NBC, the two networks own an awful lot of channels and TV shows. You can find all sorts of current and classic goodies on Hulu, ranging from Bones and Heroes to WKRP in Cincinnati and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Right now, the site is in private beta. That means you'll need an invitation to watch. And while you can sign up for an invitation at the main web page, only a few thousand people will be granted access for now. But thanks to Silicon Alley Insider we got an embed code which let us post a video. And that means you can access all kinds of other Hulu Goodies as well. Check it out after the jump.But Hulu is more than just a web page. It's also a distribution channel. Hulu will be partnering with online video portals including MSN Video and AOL Video. You can already see a handful of Hulu-distributed shows at AOL's site.
There's also a limited number of movies available. You can check out complete lists of content from TechCrunch or NewTeeVee (PDF Link).
Hulu is not a video download store. All of the videos will be streaming and ad-supported. You'll be able to watch them from your browser with the same Flash player software you use to watch YouTube videos. And like YouTube videos, you'll be able to embed videos on your own web page. Since the advertising shows up no matter where you watch the video, Hulu gets paid either way.
On the other hand, Hulu videos will only be available for an average of 5 weeks. So if you want to start a Bionic Woman fan page with full-length versions of every episode, there's a good chance your links could be dead by next month. If Hulu has the server space and bandwidth to deliver Doogie Houser MD reruns, you'd think they could create a site that lets you see every episode of My Name is Earl. If they could do that, I'd seriously consider throwing out my PVR. Well, you know, if CBS, ABC, and The CW jumped on board too. Oh, and PBS and the BBC.
[via TechCrunch]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-29-2007 @ 11:28AM
Corey Atad said...
Damn NBC and FOX. Finally providing a great way to legally watch high-quality streams of their shows online only to make it unavailable for those outside the United States
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10-29-2007 @ 11:37AM
Oreo said...
This is awesome!
It looks great and full episodes. I missed a Bones episode earlier this season, if it happens again I can watch it there.
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10-29-2007 @ 11:43AM
Chris said...
I think this is step in the right direction.
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10-29-2007 @ 11:55AM
SJ said...
So we'll be able to watch BSG episodes for free? AWESOME!
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10-29-2007 @ 11:57AM
Andrew said...
Hopefully Fox will have House online - that's the big show that I like watching that has never really made it online...
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10-29-2007 @ 11:58AM
kyler said...
"unfortunately this video is not available in your country or region. we apologize for the inconvenience."
FAIL
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10-29-2007 @ 12:13PM
J said...
Can already see some FOX shows (including House) with Fox On Deman...
http://www.fox.com/fod
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10-29-2007 @ 2:07PM
afganaf said...
"unfortunately this video is not available in your country or region. we apologize for the inconvenience."
This is stupid!
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12-20-2007 @ 9:14AM
Chrisian Gehrke said...
I am in Ireland and was able to find away around the region restrictions. I did a mini "how to" for anyone else that wants to give it a go. I am also on a mac.
http://www.theispysite.com/2007/12/20/i-spyhow-to-get-around-hulu-region-restrictions-finally/
10-29-2007 @ 2:27PM
jmorales18 said...
#1,6 & 8...
Unfortunately, because of the way advertising works and how people are compensated, the chances of you seeing streaming ad-supported shows outside the US are minimal. The only way I see it working is if they customize the shows with advertising specific to the country from where you are streaming the content. Given how complex that is probably going to be for them to arrange (not just technology but ad sales, talent compensation, etc), I don't see it happening any time soon.
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10-29-2007 @ 2:32PM
Danny Edwards said...
The rights to shows that air on FOX and NBC in the US are sold to other networks over seas. Therefore, Hulu doesn't have the right to allow non-US viewing.
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10-29-2007 @ 5:03PM
Joey Geraci said...
I have to say, that is pretty cool. They need to add a full screen option, but other than that, their service is pretty phenomenal.
Then again, the whole concept that each show is only going to be on the site for 5 weeks is so unbelievably stupid, it takes away all coolness from the player. Really. Such a shame.
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10-29-2007 @ 5:25PM
Tanders said...
Right now you can color me unimpressed.
When I first heard about HULU I was under the impression that it was going to be a iTunes competator, now that it just looks more like a YouTube competator I'm not that interested. IMO its either to little to late or to much to soon. Haven't figured out which yet.
I've never been a fan of ad based support for streaming video. I don't want to watch ads, thats why I was paying $1.99 for the video I really wanted or just watched it on my DVR the rest of the time. At the very least I hope that it doesn't play the same ad over and over like you usualy see, even if its a different ad each time its still going to be a minor anoyance.
The major anoyance to me is that I'm still tied to my house. Since I'm lacking any type of media pc hooked to my tv that means in practice I'm tied to my laptop at which point 1080 doesn't really matter much. I liked being able to watch BSG in the airport, The Office on the plane, and Heroes in the hotel room. Now, 5 - 10 years down the road when WiMax or a similar 4G tech is in place where that becomes a reality and you don't carry an iPod or any other digital storage device because its all streaming to your phone (or similar device) something like this might be handy but in the mean time, for me, its pretty much worthless.
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10-29-2007 @ 5:49PM
DaveD said...
WKRP? The big question is which version? The original (with all the music) or the syndicated version (with many songs replaced)?
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10-29-2007 @ 7:36PM
Gunner said...
I don't normally point this sort of thing out but....
Tanders your grammar and spelling was an "annoyance."
Anyway, I'm not impressed with Hulu so far and I also feel that having the videos stay up for short durations is pretty much lame.
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