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Hulu Plus Reduced To $8
As broadband video service exits preview phase
Previous claims that Hulu was planning to reduce the price of their Hulu Plus subscription service to $5 appear to have been only partially correct. According to a post to the Hulu blog, Hulu Plus has officially left preview mode and is now available to the general public. With the official launch comes the news that the service will now be $8 a month instead of $10. A study last summer criticized the subscription service, noting that 88% of the content was already available for free via "vanilla" Hulu. The company claims Hulu is hard at work “extending the device footprint, refining existing applications, and adding to the content lineup, all while listening to feedback from our users, content partners, and advertisers.”
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kdwycha
join:2003-01-30
Ruskin, FL

kdwycha

Member

Well that is swell....

...I actually ordered the service for 9.99 to give it a try last month. They say they will give me a 2.00 credit for every month I have been a member plus and additional 2.00 credit since I didn't get the week free in an email I got this morning.

I have a Netflix account already and realized most of the Hulu content is on there *without* commercials. I think I am going to cancel Hulu+ before the 26th when I get billed again. I mean why pay for commercials!

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Well that is swell....

I'm in the same boat. Watching forced commercials is like stepping back in time to before there were DVRs.

Another downside of Hulu+ is that not all Hulu+ content is available on every device. The most content is available on your web browser and then there are these other unknown tiers for other devices. Confusing.

Snakeoil
Ignore Button. The coward's feature.
Premium Member
join:2000-08-05
united state

Snakeoil

Premium Member

Re: Well that is swell....

Another downside was shown in the last few weeks.
If a media provider like Fox is having an issue with a distributor like Dish, Cablevision etc, Fox will demand that Hulu block access from those providers. Fox couldn't block dish useres, but did have cablevision blocked.

I just don't like how weak hulu is when it comes to things like that.
As well as ads...
Why pay twice [well 3 times. TV subscriber, internet service, then hulu all for same content]for something when I can download it in bit torrent ad free.

Me thinks for 10 bucks, the ads should go.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to kdwycha

Member

to kdwycha
said by kdwycha:

...I actually ordered the service for 9.99 to give it a try last month. They say they will give me a 2.00 credit for every month I have been a member plus and additional 2.00 credit since I didn't get the week free in an email I got this morning.

I have a Netflix account already and realized most of the Hulu content is on there *without* commercials. I think I am going to cancel Hulu+ before the 26th when I get billed again. I mean why pay for commercials!
Netflix does NOT carry current season episodes on lots of shows. Hulu Plus carries ALL current season episodes. Regular Hulu carries on the most ecent 5 episodes. Hulu Plus HD, Hulu not HD, Netflix may or may not be HD depending on whatever.

And face it the shows that do get curent episodes on Netlfix probably won't in the future since NBC, ABC and FOX will want to get people to sogn up for Hulu Plus thus they will most likely delay new episodes for Netflix like they movie studios do for DVDs

kdwycha
join:2003-01-30
Ruskin, FL

kdwycha

Member

Re: Well that is swell....

said by 88615298:

said by kdwycha:

...I actually ordered the service for 9.99 to give it a try last month. They say they will give me a 2.00 credit for every month I have been a member plus and additional 2.00 credit since I didn't get the week free in an email I got this morning.

I have a Netflix account already and realized most of the Hulu content is on there *without* commercials. I think I am going to cancel Hulu+ before the 26th when I get billed again. I mean why pay for commercials!
Netflix does NOT carry current season episodes on lots of shows. Hulu Plus carries ALL current season episodes. Regular Hulu carries on the most ecent 5 episodes. Hulu Plus HD, Hulu not HD, Netflix may or may not be HD depending on whatever.

And face it the shows that do get curent episodes on Netlfix probably won't in the future since NBC, ABC and FOX will want to get people to sogn up for Hulu Plus thus they will most likely delay new episodes for Netflix like they movie studios do for DVDs
I just realized hulu does 720p today. I seen it in my settings. I might give them a try for one more month.

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

1 recommendation

aaronwt

Premium Member

Sounds good!

They gave me a credit and my next bill will only be $2.

Now if they would just hurry and get hulu+ on more devices. I've been using it on two of mine with good results.

I only wish the commercials would be limited to 20 or 30 seconds. the 60 second commercials are too long.

And it would be nice if they had 5.1 audio instead of 2.0 audio.

DeathK
Premium Member
join:2002-06-16
Cincinnati, OH

DeathK

Premium Member

Re: Sounds good!

I got a pretty good sized credit.
quote:
Nov 17, 2010 Early adopter credit $-10.00
You will be billed $5.98 on January 14, 2011.
You were last charged on November 14, 2010.
I wind up getting a month free and $2 off on my next charge. They also have a referral program going on now as well. For each person you refer and they sign up you get 2 weeks free. You can get a total of 20 weeks free. Not bad.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

What's it REALLY worth?

Netflix is $8.99 a month for all the streaming you want to eat, plus you get one DVD delivery at a time to your home. They are most likely going to come out with a $7.99 a month "streaming only" option. All their plans are commercial free.

IMHO, Hulu Plus is worth $2.00 a month to me at the very most.

Defiance
Computer Elite
Premium Member
join:2002-09-11
Minocqua, WI
Hitron EN2251
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien

Defiance

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

said by newview:

Netflix is $8.99 a month for all the streaming you want to eat, plus you get one DVD delivery at a time to your home. They are most likely going to come out with a $7.99 a month "streaming only" option. All their plans are commercial free.

IMHO, Hulu Plus is worth $2.00 a month to me at the very most.
Actually, it's more than $8.99 if you want BluRay access. I still hate they started charging an extra $2.00 just for it.

On a side note my Hulu account is being a little weird..

Nov 06, 2010 Recurring charge $9.99
Nov 17, 2010 Early adopter credit $-4.00

You will be billed $3.99 on December 06, 2010.
You were last charged on November 06, 2010.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

said by Defiance:

Actually, it's more than $8.99 if you want BluRay access. I still hate they started charging an extra $2.00 just for it.
Yeah I was just comparing the cheapest Netflix plans.
But I agree . . . they're being kinda chintzy to charge more. I'm not gonna pay it.

TheBionic
Funkier than a mohair disco ball.
Premium Member
join:2009-07-06
united state

TheBionic

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

You guys are crazy...Netflix is BY FAR the cheapest way to rent blu-rays, they get charged more for them so it's fair that they cost more to rent. Have you rented a blu-ray at a brick and mortar store lately? They cost more than dvds, in my town it costs around $8 PER MOVIE. I can get 8 blu-rays a month on Netflix for $20 instead of $64. I'm not complaining.

kcpistol
Premium Member
join:2009-03-29
Independence, MO

kcpistol

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

You don't have Redbox at McDonald's? $1.50 per Blu-Ray x 8 = $12.00 for 8 of them.

TheBionic
Funkier than a mohair disco ball.
Premium Member
join:2009-07-06
united state

TheBionic

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

said by kcpistol:

You don't have Redbox at McDonald's? $1.50 per Blu-Ray x 8 = $12.00 for 8 of them.

Nope. The Red Boxes here don't carry blu-rays yet. Probably because people here are too stupid to tell the difference and they'd be overwhelmed with confused morons wondering why they won't work in their dvd player lol. If they did I'd definitely use them!

kcpistol
Premium Member
join:2009-03-29
Independence, MO

kcpistol

Premium Member

Re: What's it REALLY worth?

Here when you rent one on your Redbox iPhone app they make you check a box that says "I realize this is a Blu-Ray rental". LOL

toby
Troy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13
Seattle, WA

toby

Member

Charge more

Charge $20 with no adverts, otherwise, no thanks.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Charge more

said by toby:

Charge $20 with no adverts, otherwise, no thanks.
what are you paying for cable and ther 18 minutes of comerical per hour?

PToN
Premium Member
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX

PToN

Premium Member

Hulu+

Well, i got it to give it a shot and since i canceled my cable for netflix. I only watch House, How I met you Mother, The Mentalist, South Park, Tosh.0, Physch, The Office, Family Guy and a few others.

I added a bunch of shows to my subscriptions and went to my PS3 to start watching. Then i realized the only some of the shows are available to stream to othr devices.

I am paying for what people can get free on their site and even by other means, where is my exclusivity??? If i am paying i should be able to get all the shows available to Hulu to any supported device.

I guess i ll fire up my bit torrent client and get the few shows not in Netflix.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Hulu+

Recognize that hulu and Hulu Plus are different products.
I agree that Hulu plus should include all the Hulu content, but that will probably take some renegotiation of the hulu agreements with the content providers (ie how much does Hulu pay per show or per showing to NBC,ABC FOX etc. for the "rebroadcast" rights and what delay and other terms apply)

$7.99 is much more reasonable for the currect product, but they'll probably need a greater reduction or more content to build/maintain market share for a subscription service.
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon

Member

Re: Hulu+

said by tshirt:

Recognize that hulu and Hulu Plus are different products.
I agree that Hulu plus should include all the Hulu content, but that will probably take some renegotiation of the hulu agreements with the content providers (ie how much does Hulu pay per show or per showing to NBC,ABC FOX etc. for the "rebroadcast" rights and what delay and other terms apply)
You are correct. They call it Hulu Classic and the license agreements for most say that the content can't be used on a TV (even though computer can hookup to one, which I do). It will take a year or longer for most Classic content to show up on Plus.

I just use Hulu Desktop app on my HTPC to a large panel. Works great. There is a plugin for Windows Media Center to launch it and it works with Logitech remote.

I tried Plus but tend to watch more obscure content, which is only on Classic. Will wait a year and check out Plus again. Would be nice to get higher def and all episodes of say, NatGeo or PBS shows.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Hulu+

i don't see it taking a year. After all who do you think owns Hulu? The content partners.
chsteiger
Premium Member
join:2003-10-03
Pasadena, TX

chsteiger

Premium Member

What They Don't Tell You

"The company claims Hulu is hard at work “extending the device footprint"

What they don't tell you is block content from being viewed on your mobile device and/or iPad... This really sucks... I have 37 items to be viewed in my Hulu queue, but can only watch one of those items on my iPad.... this is AFTER you pay for the service.
twhiting9275
join:2002-08-30
Waterloo, IA

twhiting9275

Member

Re: What They Don't Tell You

said by chsteiger:

What they don't tell you is block content from being viewed on your mobile device and/or iPad...

Tjhey tell you this AS you add the subscription. In fact, in all cases, if you go to the show, they will tell you HOW you can view it, and what their restrictions are.

There's no "hidden" anything here.
tjb122982
join:2009-09-22
Terre Haute, IN

tjb122982

Member

I have a question about Content?

Are newest and most recent episodes of let's say the Office, 30 Rock, Community, the Simpsons, Family Guy et cetera available on Hulu+? I looked at their website and I can't figure it out.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: I have a question about Content?

said by tjb122982:

Are newest and most recent episodes of let's say the Office, 30 Rock, Community, the Simpsons, Family Guy et cetera available on Hulu+? I looked at their website and I can't figure it out.
Actually ALL current season episodes are available. Netflix can't touch that.
tjb122982
join:2009-09-22
Terre Haute, IN

tjb122982

Member

Re: I have a question about Content?

said by 88615298:

said by tjb122982:

Are newest and most recent episodes of let's say the Office, 30 Rock, Community, the Simpsons, Family Guy et cetera available on Hulu+? I looked at their website and I can't figure it out.
Actually ALL current season episodes are available. Netflix can't touch that.
So let me get this straight, it is everything on the website right now plus older seasons and the privilege to watch it on a TV?

schweb
Premium Member
join:2003-06-27
Lakewood, OH

schweb to tjb122982

Premium Member

to tjb122982
Yes.
chsteiger
Premium Member
join:2003-10-03
Pasadena, TX

chsteiger to tjb122982

Premium Member

to tjb122982
The correct answer to this question is... it depends. Where are you watching the content. For example... you can watch "Hell's Kitchen" all you want on your PC, but if you want to watch it via Hulu Plus on your PS3, iPad, or iPhone... you can't. Hulu is now decidecing what content you can see where.. so it gets REAL CONFUSING and what really sucks is that you are paying for it.

Netfix, thank god, does not care where you view the content.
twhiting9275
join:2002-08-30
Waterloo, IA

twhiting9275

Member

Re: I have a question about Content?

said by chsteiger See ProfileHulu is now decidecing what content you can see where..
[/BQUOTE :

Get facts, then post.
HULU is not deciding this, the networks are.
Blame the NETWORKS for not wanting their shows on Hulu, or able to be watched on the big screen (or ipod, or ipad, etc).

chsteiger
Premium Member
join:2003-10-03
Pasadena, TX

chsteiger to tjb122982

Premium Member

to tjb122982
Click for full size
Here is a snap shot of what I'm trying to explain. You will see the "web only"... that means you can only view it from a PC. It really sucks...
mcbigham
Premium Member
join:2004-10-10
Shreveport, LA

mcbigham

Premium Member

Re: I have a question about Content?

I was really excited to see that Hulu Plus is now available on Roku. I really enjoy netfix and thought another $8 a month would be ok (you get a 7 day free trial when you sign up for Hulu Plus). I went in and added about 25 shows to my queue only to find out that 7 of those are available on Hulu Plus. I can handle the commercials since they don't show many and they are about 15-30 seconds. I am on day 2 of my free trial and will cancel when it is up. It is not the commercials that bother me, it is the lack of content on the paid version. If in the future they add everything that is played on Hulu then I will probably sign up but at this point it is not worth it. As for Netflix, it is defiantly worth the money. I watch it more than cable.
zipjay
join:2003-03-11
South Williamson, KY

zipjay

Member

everyone place your bets...

When will hulu finally fail? i had such high hopes for hulu plus but its one giant failure

buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH

buzz_4_20

Member

But Still...

Netflix... unlimited streaming plus 1dvd at a time unlimited with no commercials... $8.99

Hulu+... unlimited streaming, no dvds, commercials $7.99

I'll go for the commercial free experience...

Morac
Cat god
join:2001-08-30
Riverside, NJ

1 recommendation

Morac

Member

Still overpriced

I've tried Hulu Plus and I'm not impressed. Hulu's library isn't that large to begin with and only a small percentage of that is available on Hulu Plus.

I find it odd that titles that are available on Hulu's web site, are not available on Hulu Plus, but ARE available via Netflix's streaming service.

With ads, anything over $5 a month is overpriced.

•••••

SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

SRFireside

Member

I wanna use vanilla Hulu on the PS3

Who wants to pay for content that is offered on their free service? On the other hand I don't want to watch TV on my computer screen. I like my couch and big screen TV. It would be great if Hulu for the PS3 would pull up the free stuff, but I keep hearing it's only for Hulu+. Any thoughts?
twhiting9275
join:2002-08-30
Waterloo, IA

twhiting9275

Member

Re: I wanna use vanilla Hulu on the PS3

said by SRFireside:

Who wants to pay for content that is offered on their free service?

I guess that's why you're NOT paying for content that is offered on their 'free service'. You're paying for
A> Quicker access to content
B> MORE content (+ members get more)
C> Device access

Seriously, there's no way that's NOT worth what they want for it.

SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

SRFireside

Member

Re: I wanna use vanilla Hulu on the PS3

$10 a month to see content mostly available on the free service just because it's the only option available on the PS3 as opposed to some other service like Netflix that's $8 a month that gives you a ton of movies and shows... I think I'll pass.

King P
Don't blame me. I voted for Ron Paul
Premium Member
join:2004-11-17
Murfreesboro, TN

King P

Premium Member

It's still 8 bucks too much

As long as the ads are there anyways. I'll gladly pay 8 bucks a month for commercial free hulu plus.

I'm trying to catch up on LOST, and since ABC wanted to a be jerk about it, and pull it from Netflix Instant, I have to go the Hulu route.

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

aaronwt

Premium Member

Re: It's still 8 bucks too much

said by King P:

As long as the ads are there anyways. I'll gladly pay 8 bucks a month for commercial free hulu plus.

I'm trying to catch up on LOST, and since ABC wanted to a be jerk about it, and pull it from Netflix Instant, I have to go the Hulu route.

Did they pull it or did the license that Netflix has expire? If you look on FeedFlicks you can see when the license expires for each streaming title Netflix has.
The Lost content probably expired and someone else has the rights for it right now. This is not uncommon.

Bill Neilson
Premium Member
join:2009-07-08
Alexandria, VA

Bill Neilson

Premium Member

I enjoy Hulu and am glad they lowered the price

But the commercials are still embarrasingly long for a paid customer.

Why people keep referring to TV commericlas when someone complains about Hulu commercials is beyond me....when there is little if anything that is comparable between the two.

Netflix is Hulu's direct competiter and has a bigger library and no commericals.

Whether Hulu people want to believe it or not, the sheer number of people complaining about the commercials and point to Netflix's zero commercials is in fact a big deal
twhiting9275
join:2002-08-30
Waterloo, IA

twhiting9275

Member

Re: I enjoy Hulu and am glad they lowered the price

said by Bill Neilson:

But the commercials are still embarrasingly long for a paid customer.

How much do you pay for cable? Nuff said
said by Bill Neilson:

Why people keep referring to TV commericlas when someone complains about Hulu commercials is beyond me....when there is little if anything that is comparable between the two.

So, Hulu DOESN'T get their programming from the TV Networks?
Hulu DOESN'T have to pay licensing fees every time a show is viewed?
Come on now, educate yourself!
said by Bill Neilson:

Netflix is Hulu's direct competiter and has a bigger library and no commericals.

Wrong
Netflix is NOT Hulu's competitor, direct or otherwise, no matter what Netflix wants to say or do.

Netflix:
Online shipping of DVD's with a slight accent on delivering SOME older media content via streaming devices. NO current content is available

Hulu:
SOLELY responsible for streaming CURRENT media content through a number of methods, including iPod, iPhone, etc.

Bill Neilson
Premium Member
join:2009-07-08
Alexandria, VA

Bill Neilson

Premium Member

Re: I enjoy Hulu and am glad they lowered the price

Again, you say Netflix is not Hulu's competitior yet just about every media source compares the two DAILY

Most forums with a tech section have people debating whether to get Netflix/Hulu

I mean, it is so incredible laughable to say otherwise that I wonder whether some people get migraines from spitting out such bullcrap. You cant even back it up with anything significant.

Just another "It is! It is!"

The idea that I pay for Cable and thus should shut up about Hulu's commercials is just as moronic as the Netflix/Hulu debate. I get roughly two hundred channels on my Cable package and there is NO CABLE COMPANY AROUND OFFERING NO COMMERCIALS. Netflix offers that with BETTER SELCTION ACROSS THE BOARD

Get a clue for crying out loud.