Free-TV site Hulu could start charging in 2010
October 23rd, 2009, 10:26 am · 21 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
Spotted on DSLReports: The idea that consumers should get free anytime-access to TV shows — most that are free on broadcast TV anyway — just isn’t working out for News Corp., a part owner in the free Web TV phenom Hulu.com.
Chase Carey, News Corp.’s deputy chairman, said that Hulu needs to start charging, according to a Broadcasting & Cable report. Carey said this during the publication’s OnScreen summit. A move to start charging subscribers who flock to Hulu’s free offering of TV and movies could come as soon as next year, Carey told reporter Claire Atkinson.
“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. “Hulu concurs with that; it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business.”
NBC Universal, News Corp., The Walt Disney Company and Providence Equity Partners are part owners of Hulu.
Read the story: “Chase Carey: Hulu to Charge in 2010”
Got a question for Time Warner Cable? Here’s your chance to get it answered. Click HERE
Is this a bait and switch? Readers of the story snarkily point out other free TV options available to the public, like Babelgum.com. Or they demand that if Hulu starts charging, it needs to nix the TV commercials. Some say they’d be willing to pay $5 to $10 a month, others say no way!
At least Hulu has helped kick cable companies into action. Time Warner and Comcast plan to offer Web access to several TV shows on demand at no extra charge to paying customers, via the TV Everywhere service (read earlier story: “Time Warner plans to offer popular shows online — to paying customers.”
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Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
Hulu.com is an interesting thing to check out from time to time, but the content isn’t worth any monthly rate.
They can charge if they want, but I’ll just drop them from my favorites list and move on to something else. There is always something else.
Sorry, if they start charging, I’m done.
I’ve tried very hard to remember to rate all the commercials to provide them some value-added.
How do you see your Business Class Department doing….now that the former VP of Cox Communications, Business Services Department , Dave Montierth, is on board with you.
Why can’t they let T/W customers in OC use a DVR with telephone ID, when elsewhere it is allowed?
Why can’t a PC TV tuner card work with basic cable??
We have had trouble with your digital quality, receiving our cable pictures for over 2years now and we keep being told its sun spots or other excuses when will we be able to watch TV without all the constant interuption of our stations and shows?
Why does it seem that the price goes up and we lose certain
channels? Also, ever since we had to go digital, I along with some people have had channels, 7-9-11-13 go fuzzy…Why is this?
why don’t you offer the NFL network ?
My question is why my FREE ON DEMAND service gets blocked when I am late on my payment? I am not even buying a movie, just using the free portion of ON DEMAND but I still cannot access it while I can access all my channels, my internet and my phone.
second question, why is the phone service down at least once a month?
As an existing customer, why do I have to threaten to quit service to get the best deal? Rates keep going higher and higher.. This is the only way to keep prices in check.. or… really quit and find another service – which is what I’ll be doing..
When ever I have TW come out for the same problem sound drops out and picture pixalates, the tech tells me it is not just my set it happens all over and TW is working on the problem….its been over a year I’ve given up I’m waiting for ATT to come to my area people I know have it and Love it.
Why are your cable guides and channel changes SO DARN SLOW? I’ve got Cox at my house with the same cable box you use, but at my girlfriend’s house in Fullerton on TW, it’s SOOO SLOOOOOWWWW. Time to pay for some better cable box firmware/software.
When is Time Warner Cable going to start carrying BYU Television?
Most of the cable and all of the satellite carries offer it.
Are there any improvements in store for the DVR Navigator Program Guide? It is far inferior to the previous system.
Navigator’s SEARCH is very limited in function.
The SEARCH function on the previous program guide let you search by a word/name in the program description, e.g., you could search for all programs with “Harrison Ford”, or “giraffes”, for example.
Hi, Why did you change the information and guide access? It is soooo much slower now and lacks the more detailed information of the other system. We also have had voice lagging behind picture since the change. Any chance of changing back?
I am a T-W subscriber. How can I get a complete list of HD and regular channels?
I keep a list of Time Warner Cable HD channels HERE. For the complete list of standard and HD channels, check Time Warner’s local site: HERE.
Why don’t we get the Turner Movie Channel on the standard package any more? This was my favorite channel. When Time Warner took over we lost several channels that we enjoyed watching. Also, we now have more foreign language stations than ever. Cox doesn’t have all these foreign language stations. Why are we stuck with them. I am paying more money for fewer stations that I enjoy. I would be very happy if I could just pick the 10 or 12 stations that I watch.
hello,
When will Time Warner make a software update to its ridiculous video recorder? All other cable outlets that I have used, including AT&T, have allowed for the simple addition of “this time only” as a selection for recording shows. Because Time Warners system does not include this simple choice, we are forced to have every episode of a series recorded, over and over again. This constantly interferes with other programs we wish to record, and fills up the units hard drive in no time.
Bad planning. Easy fix.
We will change to Direct or Dish if rate increase. ITs to high now for the basic package Why can’t people pick what they want to see, ie the channels I dont watch spanish or sports yet I’m stuck with it instead of something else I may want on the next package The package deals suck.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, WE HAVE THE BASIC CABLE, LIVE IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY CA. WE ARE NOT GETTING CHANNEL 47 THE WEATHER CHANNEL NO CHANNEL 46 NO CHANNEL 49 I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. EMAIL ME BACK AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR 2 DAYS NOW. I MISS MY SHOWS ON THESE CHANNELS.
Time Warner is ripping us off. I made 1/2 of what I’m paying now when it was Adelphia. Every little thing COSTS MORE. I’d rather pay for the channels I want to view outside the standard stations.