Everything we do is with an eye toward achieving our long-term goal of maximizing the content you can access as conveniently as possible in a way that 'works' for the content owner. In the short-term that may require us to make some tough decisions...
After quietly blocking access through PS3′s internet browser just two weeks ago, users who queried the situtation, surprisingly recieved a “content-less” apology through email. The Hulu representative said that blocking streaming was in the best interest of the PS3 users and Hulu. Reports have suggested it could be as a result of pressure from their content providers. 0
Despite Hulu is only available to viewers from the US, as reported before, the VoD service is finally going to arrive in the UK in the next couple of months and no doubt the mainstream platform will be the PS3.
However, users who queried what was happening with PS3 streaming, recieved a modest apology from a Hulu representative hinting that if they carry on with giving PS3 users the VoD service online, this could dentin their relationship with another company, which in this current economic climate would not be too clever. The full “apology” can be seen below thanks to Gizimodo, 0
Thanks for writing. In order to answer your question, some context might be
helpful.For decades, the TV/movie industry has built its business model on a windowing
strategy. Content rights are granted for limited time periods across specific
distribution channels. For example, a movie starts in theaters, then moves to
pay-per-view and DVD, then to pay-cable channels, later to broadcast, and so on
down the line. Similarly, TV shows are available on TV first, then in repeats,
then to DVD and possibly syndication, etc.Distribution availability across platforms — theaters vs. TV vs. recorded media
like DVDs vs. online streaming vs. mobile phones — was always implicitly or
explicitly controlled in that world. But a few factors have made the barriers
between those platforms more permeable: the rise of the web, increased broadband
availability, the ease of digitizing video, and the increase in the computing
power of devices like gaming consoles, set-top boxes, and mobile phones.However, in the near-term, the windowing strategy is still dominant in the
business. Billions of dollars flow in across these different windows, and entire
companies are organized around them. Nothing productive comes from flouting that
reality (except to law firms who work on the occasional lawsuit).
It’s the Content Providers!
Thus, from all the information Hulu have provided us with, we can conclude that it is not Hulu that have the issue with PS3 users watching Hulu, instead it is the content providers. They are wary of the prinicpal of streaming online on a gaming console which is actually linked up with television. Reports have already suggested it could be something to do with licensing agreements with other video companies. However, there is no need to be disheartened since this is only a slight change of course to the overall goal of a smooth, VoD service. All the problem seems to be is with the digital streaming rights which is sure to be sorted out in the coming weeks. 0
“We do, however, expect these windows to converge over time. There’s no way around that, and we’re working hard with all of our partners to guide and participate in this important transition in the business.
“Everything we do is with an eye toward achieving our long-term goal of maximizing the content you can access as conveniently as possible in a way that “works” for the content owner. In the short-term that may require us to make some tough decisions, but we only do so when we believe it improves our long-term prospects to build a more enduring, legal solution to that same problem.”
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Do you think Hulu will ever come to the UK? Are Hulu just blaming all their problems on content providers? Please feel free to comment below.
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