Chase Carey Says Hulu May Charge By 2010, Twitter Goes Berserk

Chase Carey, News Corp.'s deputy chairman, announced at the B&C OnScreen summit that although there's no formal timeline for Hulu.com to begin charging for content, he supposes that it would be around 2010.

Hulu.com is currently a free service that allows users to stream hit TV shows, videos, and movies.

"It's time to start getting paid for broadcast content online," Carey said.

"I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value," Carey said (via the Broadcasting & Cable blog. "Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business."

According to the Broadcasting & Cable blog,

Carey, who says he's only been to one Hulu board meeting since arriving at News Corp., suggests there is still no timeline but supposes it's at least in 2010. Carey says that while throwing up a pay-wall around all content is not the answer, it doesn't mean there wont be fees for some specially-created content and TV previews. Windows are just around the corner. American Idol audition previews anyone? Mobile Hulu is another potential way of making money.

Twitter users reacted strongly to the news, expressing outrage, anger, and condemnation for the idea. Follow the Twitter feed below for real-time reactions.

A few comments from Twitter:

kristenangel: Hulu will be the next Megavideo. Don't companies get it? We don't pay for media anymore. If we appreciate the song/movie, we'll buy it!

reidcifrino: WTF @hulu?! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. Officially boycotting them as of now. GRRR!

reddit_feed: The good times are over. Hulu to start charging for broadcast content in 2010.: submitted by drhatt to entertai..

Comments

[BKROOBNZAI]

What they DO need to charge is for people to pay a buck to upload a video to you tube. It would really cut down on the swag on that site.

[shiningstars122]

Hulu is just starting to take off and now this pressed shirt thinks charging for content is the future? Buddy you have us watching the longer commercials now, which I will endure, and that is where your revenues will come from. Plus you are also helping to promote shows,or recyle older ones, that may go under the radar and that is also something that can be benificial.Hello? Another revenue stream. What Hulu/NBC/Universal should do is put their efforts into is creating the first online network that can push the envelope in showcasing shows that are better or dramatically different than what is currently on TV. You idots know what we like, now just make it so.
Next?
Oh yeah and adding the feature of real time chat to first run shows and allowing the audience to shape the content. Now that would be real fun and creative.

[randallam92]

JOIN THIS FACEBOOK GROUP TO KEEP HULU FREE!!!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=161633449647&ref=mf

[Val Valerian]

So ... it's not like everything on Hulu actually contributes to anything socially beyond providing a slight 'distraction' to the daily grind ... it's something you can find anywhere. They have advertisements there. If that's not enough and they want to get greedy ... people will just turn their heads and Hulu will collapse. End of story.

[wingsabre]

The problem with Hulu is they have commercial breaks. They should embed commercials in the shows. That way, they'll be selling 30 minute commercial time, instead of 4 commercial. What could be done is to simply have two options. A free service, with commercials, and a membership service with no commercials, and instant access to contents after they air.

[fcsakes]

We're already watching commercials on every show - how much money is enough?

Hulu is currently the only way I can watch some of my favorite shows, but start charging, I stop watching - that instant. I don't care if it's a penny a show.

The only thing to which I remain marginally addicted is Dreyer's Frozen Fruit Popsicles - Nectarine. and books.

[jazzybo]

Why would you pay for crappy video?You can click on watch in 480P but it says not vailable.
Sorry hulu count me out.

[b1986]

Well if people are going to pay then I guess that means that there won't be anymore commercials right. Hulu will be putting the nails into their own coffin because people will flee from them like the plague.

[sliznim]

nobody wants to pay for poor quality laggy hulu video... they will learn soon enough

[idlefritz]

Hulu tested the waters for pay to play and promptly got water-boarded.

[ragtag]

If people don't pay for this stuff, they won't "appreciate the value"...

That's basically shorthand for "Rupert needs another yacht".

[LindaCSmith]

Interesting that there is not a "bravo" in the whole bunch of comments and Twitter responses so far. Let's hope Hulu has a marketing team that is on the ball and monitors reactions from Twitter and other sites where news of their affairs appears. It's just my opinion, but companies who do business on the internet ought to have their model in place before beginning...not change it when they think their numbers might equate to more income. Obviously Hulu will lose both users and marketshare when/if they make this move and I hope that is a part of the planning process for the change over. Me? I'd rather go to the network's site, see it streamed in better quality and get more show info.

[adoantarel]

Hulu should already be getting income from advertisers. This is how it's done on broadcast tv, where the a large number or the majority of their shows come from. I don't pay when I watch Glee on my tv via antennae, i watch commercials. On Hulu, I only watch one commercial per break. i wouldn't blame them if they had to increase that number, but it's stupid to make me pay for something i can get for free. I'll jsut re-fire up my vcr and tape it rather than paying for Hulu if that becomes the case.

[Peter Noble 2]

The quality is so bad compared to Amazon downloads or iTunes that for them to charge anything will kill the site within the first month. I already use Hulu to check out a new show and if I like it I go and pay for it using my Roku.

I just can't see a business model for Hulu that streams low quality video and endless adverts behind a pay wall. Frankly too many of the new shows are terrible. The movies they have on offer are laughable and again the quality despite having very fast broadband is terrible.

And I come from Britain where I've seen the effects of Murdoch: the Goldman Sachs of media. They are parasites and their labor practices a total disgrace. Hulu workers should expect to be sacked and their jobs moved to some remote server location where there are no laws governing pay and hours.

[Golden Ticket]

Single Payer Cable TV and Satellite Now!!!

Not just a watered down version either. We need PPV and Adult Programing provided for all by those who are employed!!!

[TopJack]

Murdoch hates the Internet and the way it allows people to experience and consume content in different ways. He still thinks people will buy newspapers.

Once you offer online product for free, it's impossible to put back that genie.

Goodbye, Hulu.