Hulu, the U.S. video streaming service that has a large archive of TV shows and movies, is doing rather well. Their premium service, Hulu Plus, has 1.5 Million subscribers which is way up from their last numbers of 300,000 a year prior.

Compared to Netflix, Hulu has a long way to go as the company has nearly 24 Million subscribers. Still, a 1.2 Million increase in one year is pretty good for a relatively new service. Makes one wonder if a part of the increase is from Netflix’s screw up last year with trying to split their service and charge customers more.

Via Yahoo News:

“Revenue also grew substantially, Kilar blogged. Hulu grew its business 60 percent from 2010 to approximately $420 million in revenue. That is impressive growth, but it falls just short of Hulu’s projections. Kilar had previously stated that the company was on track to “approach” $500 million in revenue.”

While it does fall short, the impressive growth shows that the service is hitting a sweet spot with users. And to think that they were consider shutting down the service before Hulu Plus took off in popularity.

For them to do well in 2012, they need to continue to build out their premium service. Ads for free users are great, but that’s not where the real money is at.

“The subscription part of the business is incredibly important to Hulu’s future and is key to nudging the still growing company into the black. Kilar said in the post that he expects the subscription services to account for more than half of Hulu’s overall business in 2012.”

Hulu Now Has 1.5 Million Paying Subscribers is a post from: The Inquisitr

Univision is coming to a computer near you. The popular Spanish language channel announced today that it will be putting some of its top programs online on Hulu.

Univision, which is the fifth largest television network in the United States, did not say which programs would be available on Hulu. The network did say that it will make some of its primetime shows available for free on Hulu. Users will also be able to watch past seasons using Hulu Plus for $7.99 a month.

Tonia O’Connor, Univision Communications’ president of distribution and sales, said:

“The deal is significant, not just for Univision and Hulu, but for individual [viewers] as well. This is the first time we are making this content available online.”

According to the LA Times the top 10 programs among Latino viewers were broadcast on Univsion this year. Andy Forssell, Hulu’s senior vice president of content acquisition, said that this new partnership will bring Spanish-language content to a population of 50 million Latinos in the United States.

“It’s young, it’s active, it’s upwardly mobile and it’s hard to get to. It’s exactly the audience you’d expect to be online in force, but they haven’t been. There has not been any significant amount of long-form Spanish-language content online.”

Univision’s Spanish-language novella “Eva Luna” was the highest rated domestically produced novella in history last April with 9.5 million viewers. Univision is hoping that the online exposure will bring them an even bigger audience.

Will you be watching Spanish soap operas from Univision on Hulu?

Univision Shows Coming to Hulu is a post from: The Inquisitr

Crain’s notes that cable and satellite subscribers are leaving in droves, with the biggest subscriber loss ever taking place in the second quarter of 2011. As subscribers are heading for the exits, so are the advertisers, with cable TV ad revenue down 2.8% in the same period.

Video streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix, meanwhile, are thriving, with younger viewers in particular watching less and less traditional television. Firms such as Roku and Boxee have developed set-top boxes that can bring the Web straight to TVs – importantly, these come with no monthly charge.

Such convergence seems to be a broadly positive development. As cable subscriptions fall and the digital revolution grows, programmers will be under increasing pressure not to keep new content to themselves. As Gene Munster, an Internet analyst at Piper Jaffray, explains:

“There are a lot of forces putting pressure on the living room. The genie’s already out of the bottle from a consumer experience point of view.”

Crucially, Munster also believes Apple is rolling up its sleeves for the scrap, and predicts the firm will soon introduce an Internet-connected TV set.

All of which points to one thing: sooner or later, evil multichannel subscriptions are going to be a thing of the past, replaced with a sleek, consumer-friendly system that lets us watch stuff when we like, with à la carte pricing that means we don’t have to subsidise the 800 channels we’ll never watch.

Cable TV Viewers Flock to Web TV, Cable Ad Revenue Down is a post from: The Inquisitr

Hulu may be on the selling block at the moment but that hasn’t stopped the company from launching their premium monthly subscription service in Japan.

According to Hulu the Japanese service located at Hulu.jp brings ”hundreds of premium feature films and thousands of episodes of popular TV shows”

Among the service’s selections are Pirates of the Caribbean, Armageddon and Men in Black along with top TV shows including Desperate Housewives, Fringe and Grey’s Anatomy among other popular titles.

According to Engadget:

Overall the list looks more like Netflix than Hulu’s free or Plus services in the US do. So far Japanese users can stream the content directly to Panasonic TVs, iOS and select Android devices, with Panasonic Blu-ray players, Sony Blu-ray players and TVs, Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles and Android tablets all relegated to the “coming soon” list.

In celebration of the launch Hulu has also partnered with Japan’s largest mobile network NTT Docomo to provide content to users.

The platform has also partnered with various top film studios and TV networks including:

CBS, NBCUniversal International Television Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company (Japan) featuring content from Disney/ABC Television Group and The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros.

In the meantime, Hulu is offering Japanese customers one month free premium service to try out the platform before they have to make a no-obligation decision.

Would you be willing to pay just under $20 for a service that can be purchased in the United States for less than half the price?

Hulu Launches Monthly Plan In Japan, Charges Nearly $20 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Last week Fox Network announced that they were pulling all day after access for their shows being viewed on Hulu. Needless to say this sparked a bit of outrage but it turns out that outrage may not be the only thing the move has caused.

In a post by Ernesto over at TorrentFreak this morning he reveals that the team at the blog did a little bit of a quick review of download stats for two of the premier shows on the Fox Network: Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef, to see what effect this new 8-day delay was having on torrent downloads of the shows.

Well unsurprising it has as both shows have seen a radical increase in downloads.

Over the last week TorrentFreak tracked two Fox shows on BitTorrent to see if there was an upturn in the number of downloads compared to the previous weeks, and the results are as expected. For both Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef the download numbers have surged.

During the first 5 days, the number of downloads from the U.S. for the latest episode of Hell’s Kitchen increased by 114% compared to the previous 3 episodes. For MasterChef the upturn was even higher with 189% more downloads from the U.S. For MasterChef; the extra high demand may in part have been facilitated by the fact that it was the season finale.

Ernesto also noted in his post that comments on the various torrent sites thanked those who uploaded the shows saying that they had wanted to watch them legal but couldn’t. Meanwhile the comments on Hulu and Fox.com were definitely on the negative side of the scale.

Yup that was a smart move Fox.

Fox’s stupid 8-Day delay on Hulu sparks increased “piracy”. DUH! is a post from: The Inquisitr

Dish Network

While revenues for the company jumped 13 percent to $3.59 billion, beating analyst’s projections, reported net income for Q2 was only $335 million (75 cents a share), a number that failed to meet expectations on Wall Street.

Following Dish Network’s second quarter earnings announcement, their stock dropped over 2.5 percent to $22.07.

As for the 135,000 subscriber loss, the company blamed increased competitor discounting, slowing growth in paid TV generally, and their decision to stop attempts of keeping subscribers on their least profitable packages if they seemed likely to drop Dish for a competitor.

“The best way I can describe this quarter’s results is murky,” Joe Clayton, president and CEO of DISH Network, said in a conference call with analysts. “This was a transitional quarter. It will take some time to regain our momentum.”

Clayton said the company planned to spend more to pick up subscribers in the third quarter — the fall season when TV viewership traditionally rises — when it makes more sense to win new customers.

In addition, he revealed that Dish Network was renegotiating contracts with movie studios to keep Blockbuster supplied and planned to invest in Blockbuster’s digital arm. He emphasized that the brand still had appeal, but poured cold water on the idea that the company would invest on the order of $1 billion to reinvigorate the company.

“I don’t have any concerns about spending $1 billion on Blockbuster, because I’m not,” he said.

via Reuters

Dish Network Boosts Profit Despite Losing 135k Subscribers is a post from: The Inquisitr

As you’ll no doubt discover when you boot up your PlayStation 3 today, Sony has released a brand new firmware update, bringing the PlayStation 3 up to version 3.7.

The most notable new feature to be introduced in the new firmware is automatic trophy syncing. Before you get too excited, there’s a catch: in order to benefit from this convenient new feature, you’ll have to be a PlayStation Plus subscriber.

That’s not the only PlayStation Plus-exclusive feature introduced in the update, though. There’s also an automatic save file upload feature which uploads your save files into Sony’s cloud storage servers automatically.

So, what do you get if you’re not a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you ask? Well, you get a new XMB category dubbed “TV/Video Services”, Netflix and Hulu’s new home on the XMB, as well as 3D support for java-based Blu-ray features and support for 3D digital MPO photos. Hey, at least you get something.

via Joystiq

PS3 firmware 3.7 out now, adds automatic trophy syncing for PS Plus subscribers is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to Bloomberg, Apple has its sights set on content streaming site Hulu and is in “early talks” to acquire the site in order to augment its video offerings.

Apple doesn’t have the drunken sailor spending ethos often seen with Google, but may offer $2 billion for online video streaming site Hulu, individuals who declined to be identified by press commented to the financial news source. Currently, the iTunes store allows for purchasing, and Hulu would “add a new element to their arsenal from a streaming and subscription standpoint,” according to one analyst consulted about the possible deal.

Another said Apple is focused on bringing streaming into the fold, and noted that in part, the “ecosystem of Apple’s future is to include more video.” Relevant parties at Hulu were mum when asked for comment on the possibility of a merger, and people at Apple had nothing to say thusfar about the deal.

Do you think a Hulu-Apple partnership would be beneficial for iTunes users? Would you consider watching more content through iTunes? Do you buy episodes and films through iTunes now?

Hulu in Apple’s Sights? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Search giant Google is reportedly in talks to purchase TV streaming service Hulu.

After receiving an unsolicited offer from Yahoo last week it was largely expected that other players in the online game would step up and attempt to buy the service which streams shows from the most popular TV networks.

While the Yahoo offer was not confirmed sources “close to the deal” now say that Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have made offers and that Hulu officers have setup meetings with their financial advisers Morgan Stanley and Guggenheim Partners and all interested parties on a one-on-one basis.

With Hulu projected to bring in $500 million in 2011 revenue both through advertising and Hulu Premium subscriptions and a user base topping 28 million viewers per month offers are expected to be in the billions with Bloomberg putting the buy price somewhere in the vicinity of $2 billion.

If Google can manage to pull off the acquisition it would mean they are one step closers to dominating the online video streaming sector which they already practically own thanks to their YouTube platform. The Google acquisition and their “know-how” in the video streaming business could also mean a better platform in the future, run by a company that understands the space.

At this time everything is conjecture and only a deal being revealed will prove that any real offers were made.

Google Wants To Buy Hulu, Makes Offer [Report] is a post from: The Inquisitr

An unnamed company is said to be after Hulu for an acquisition and according to the Company Town blog by LA Times that company is none other than Yahoo.

According to reports the offer wasn’t solicited by Hulu however it does have company officials for the streaming video service considering offers from other heavy hitters in silicon valley.

The possible acquisition comes right after NBCUniversal had to give up their seats on the Hulu board in order to complete their Comcast merger.

Is the timing of the possible acquisition by Yahoo meant to coincide with the Comcast/NBC merger? I sure would like to think so.

[Rumor Mill] Yahoo Attempting To Purchase Hulu is a post from: The Inquisitr

It’s official, Microsoft and Hulu have teamed up to bring TV’s number one streaming service to Xbox 360 owners.

Hulu Plus will arrive on Friday, April 29 and as a bonus Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is offering the first week of service free to Silver and Gold members. The “free” program expires after May 6.

Only U.S. customers will have access to the Hulu Plus system which is not currently available for international markets.

With the Playstation Network currently shut down there probably isn’t a better time for Microsoft to be announcing new high tech features for their own gaming platform.

Will you be watching Hulu Plus shows on your Xbox 360 console with this new release?

Hulu Arriving On XBox 360 Tomorrow is a post from: The Inquisitr

Daily Show, Colbert Report Could Return To Hulu, Talks Underway is a post from: The Inquisitr

Word is out that Netflix is talking with studios to pick up individual new television episodes and willing to pay $70,000 to $100,000 per show. This is according to a report by the New York Post and as VentureBeat points out, this move will put Netflix in direct competition with Hulu.

As Netflix looks to beef up its TV offerings another interesting battle is brewing between the studios creating the television shows and the television networks that distribute the shows.

With Netflix ready to put its money where its mouth is — and a host of rivals such as Apple and Google’s YouTube also in the hunt — a war is breaking out over who controls streaming rights to current episodes.

The studios that supply the networks with shows argue they own the streaming rights to in-season shows. But the broadcast networks that make a profit from repeats — and stand to lose audiences, ad dollars and syndication revenue if viewers can see those same episodes on Netflix — argue they control the rights.

“It’s a big source of friction,” said one TV executive familiar with discussions. “There are no agreements [on control of rights], but I think it will trend toward the networks being in charge of selling in-season in first run, and beyond that, the studio.”

via The New York Post

Is Netflix looking to take on Hulu directly? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Although Netflix has expressed interest in getting it on with super-popular HBO properties like True Blood and Entourage, the cable channel has said it has no interest in bumping content with the filthy-dirty video subscription service.

If you, like me, were hoping to cut the horrible cable TV tether this year, HBO isn’t going to let you off the exceptionally good programming teat any time soon. Expect to be paying the same $200 a month for access to your favorite sexy dramedies, because you still won’t be able to stream it to your laptop, TV or hotel room legally without a cable subscription. HBO is in a prime position to not dabble in other services, and co-president Eric Kessler cited “entertainment enthusiasts” who can’t let go of their premium content as a reason for staying cable-only:

“There is value in exclusivity,” Kessler said in an interview. Consumers “are willing to pay a premium for high quality, exclusive content,” he said.

Netflix isn’t even playing hard to get, but they’re kind of like, “well, we’re into it if you are, HBO.”

“We would love to do a deal as well with HBO,” said Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Netflix. “Compete with us or collaborate with us, but we would much rather work with them.”

HBO subscribers can still stream content through HBO Go, the company’s online portal for programming. It may offer some of the convenience of Netflix’s streaming service, but it still carries the high price tag of a premium cable provider. Have you been planning to ditch some of your cable services for a web-based service? Do you shell out year round for shows that only run 12 episodes every year or two?

[Business Week via Mashable]

Netflix not getting its filthy, convenient hands on HBO’s content is a post from: The Inquisitr

Those PS3 owners who signed up for a PlayStation Plus account just got a nice little perk: access to the Hulu Plus service that went live today. Of course, it will require an additional fee, though I’d say the $9.99 per month is pretty good value considering you can more or less cancel your cable subscription.

As for us proles who don’t have PlayStation Plus (but do have a PS3), we have to sit around for a few months while we wait for access, banging rocks together or however it is poor people fill their time.

And if you’re waiting for Hulu to launch on the Xbox 360, iPhone, or iPad? You’re going to need a lot of rocks.

[Via press release]

Hulu Plus preview now available for PlayStation Plus members is a post from: The Inquisitr

After being rumored for so long, it’s finally confirmed: a premium Hulu service for iPad, iPod, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, not to mention connected TVs and Blu-ray players from Samsung, Vizio and Sony.

As previously speculated, it shall be known as Hulu Plus, and will cost $9.99 a month. Whole seasons of shows that are available in limited quantities on the free service will be accessible for Hulu Plus subscribers.

Contrary to earlier suggestions, Microsoft won’t be getting first dibs. Hulu for Sony’s PlayStation 3 will be available from July, while Xbox 360 owners will have to wait for “early 2011″. The latter will feature a “custom Hulu experience” for Xbox Live Gold members, featuring controller-free navigation (thanks to Kinect) and the ability to watch in Xbox Live parties. That said, it’s still a coup for the PS3 to beat its rival to launch by more than six months.

Hulu Plus will boast full seasons of current ABC, NBC, and Fox television shows, and in glorious HD at that. S’later, cable TV!

[Via press release]

Hulu Plus announced, coming to iPad, Xbox 360, PS3, others is a post from: The Inquisitr

Hulu Plus has a nice ring to it, especially if you own an Xbox 360 or an Apple iPad, those are the devices according to Reuters that will first receive the companies new service which has been rumored for quite some time now.

According to today’s report, Hulu is actively preparing the product for launch with Apple And Microsoft products set to take the front seats for the product with no other companies announced at this time.

Using Hulu Plus users will be able to pull up older episodes of their favorite shows, while still watching new episodes free of charge. The opt-in option for older episodes should offer a nice hook to Hulu, especially when users become addicted to a show mid-run and are dying to see what they missed in order to make sense of character arcs.

No exact plans have been adapted yet, but I love my Netflix subscription, so far I’ve watched 5 seasons of Lost (the other two are not yet available) plus watched numerous movies, if Hulu offers a nice plan I’ll more than likely take the bait…goodbye cable?

Would you be willing to pay a premium to access a very large database of TV shows and other TV based specials? Let us know your thoughts about Hulu Plus and streaming TV media in general. [Via Reuters]

Hulu Subscription Service To Support XBox 360, iPad, Others is a post from: The Inquisitr

Stick this one up on the shelf with the various other iPad rumors currently circulating the web. It looks like video streaming provider Hulu is developing an iPad application with one big difference from their other online offerings, it will require a subscription.

The New York Times is reporting that Hulu is working on the app which should be announced in the near future and that Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said he’s “open to subscriptions as a complement to the ad-supported model.”

Apple has been pressuring users to move away from Adobe Flash to the more developer friendly HTML5, so I would expect that the program would fall within the HTML5 range.

Hulu Subscription Based App May Arrive For iPad is a post from: The Inquisitr

Online television streaming service Hulu is heading to court with a Canadian company claiming NBCU stole the idea from them, including the name Hulu.

Huluvision claims NBCU executives stole its trademark and trade secrets after meeting with its founder. THR reports:

Hulavision and principal Errol Hula claim that the company developed technology to deliver television programs directly to viewers online. Hula then met with NBCU business development exec Raymond Vergel de Dios at a Las Vegas trade show and was invited to have further discussions about working together. In the spring of 2006, Hula and NBCU allegedly signed a nondisclosure agreement, after which Hula revealed his company’s business model, marketing strategy, product roadmap and a “shared revenue model chart” that included valuable trade secrets.

Hula claims that Hulu is a “nearly identical” adaptation of Hulavision.

The odd thing is why now, some three years after Hulu was announced? Still, I wonder if Huluvision would have been georetarded as well

Hulu Sued By Canadian Company That Claims NBCU Lifted The Lot, Including The Name is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Times is reporting that Viacom will be pulling The Daily Show and The Colbert Report from popular online TV  streaming service Hulu. The move is set to occur next week.

As the story goes, Viacom realized that a huge demographic of Hulu subscribers were watching both shows and they demanded a ridiculously large amount of money to keep the shows on the service. Rumors are also stating that they demanded an upfront payment for their programming.

In the meantime TheDailyShow.com and ColbertNation.com will continue to rebroadcast their shows past episodes. The deal, while not a big blow to Hulu, does show a big problem the company faces in terms of attracting third-party network providers to their service, companies which could help build the site into a major online player of digital content should they stay or  come on-board.

With this recent jumping of ship by Viacom we expect to see a more viable pay model from Hulu in the near future or they could end up as nothing more than a wasteland for second rate programming. [Gizmodo]

Viacom Pulling Colbert and Stewart From Hulu is a post from: The Inquisitr