"Hulu" has actually been in the works for at least 6-8 months--last week they finally got around to putting a name to site. Pardon the skepticism, but on the face of it, the Hulu project seems destined for the scrap heap of failed old-media "experiments" like CBS' Innertube or Sony's Connect music store. If NBC's extended DRM demands are true--that it wants iTunes to "spy" on users-- it will only hasten it's demise. NBC might want to ask Sony how that worked out.
#
posted by Scott Johnson @ 9/02/2007 2:13 PM
It also strikes me that the networks are missing the tide - as they so often do with new media. I think to the difference between JetBlue and the major airlines. The major airlines are convinced that we are interested in "packages" and "deals" that involve complete irrelevancies like Saturday night stays and dozens of fair classes, some obvious, some less so. Jetblue, on the other hand, says what a leg costs and says what the return leg costs. It's the same for everyone and is totally exchangeable.
NBC is claiming it wants to offer packages and promotions that are more "attractive" to it's audience but what is more attractive than paying for just what you want? Ok, a season pass perhaps but what NBC wants is to figure out complicated pricing schemes which somehow force you to watch their junk shows when all you want is 22 minutes of "The Office".
Apple should resist this. They have created a system that is reasonable to most people, $.99 for a song, $1.99 for a show. You can do season passes for things like "The Daily Show" and that's fair.
#
posted by Noah @ 9/03/2007 8:52 PM
