Macworld Forums: Hulu Plus now available on Apple TV - Macworld Forums

Post your comments for Hulu Plus now available on Apple TV here

Welcome to post-Jobs, disorganized, confused Apple.

Where Hulu Plus makes an announcement about this on their blog, but Apple's website doesn't list it anywhere.

Is it me or is Hulu Plus not what it seems to be? I have Netflix which I'm perfectly happy with, but people I know love Hulu, but I can't see the hype. I've been to the site and checked out the Plus content and was like "meh".

scott2si, on 31 July 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

I'm not sure this would have rated a full Apple announcement when Steve was around.

scott2si, on 31 July 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

Haha you must never paid attention to Apple... Sometimes they have upgrades to the computers without a press release. This is totally Jobs-like.

I wish they would add Amazon Instant Streaming.

I looked at the Hulu site earlier today and I'm confused. It seems like there is less content on the for-pay Hulu Plus service than there is on the free (non-Plus) Hulu service. Am I just missing something? Why would I want to pay $7.99 a month for this?

At least Apple provided a workaround (loophole?) for the "Web Only" error. Just load it up on a computer browser and use AirPlay mirroring. It gets the content on the HDTV by tricking Hulu into thinking it's only on a computer. Nice!

scott2si, on 31 July 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

The addition of Hulu Plus does rate a big announcement.

I really don't like Hulu Plus. Even when I'm paying, I'm still getting a ton of ads. It's ridiculous. If I am paying money, I shouldn't have ads.

gk_brown, on 31 July 2012 - 07:12 AM, said:

OK, found it. According to the FAQ:

"Hulu.com is a free option for users who want to watch TV shows on their computers...Hulu Plus enables users to watch Hulu content instantly in HD (720p) to internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, iPads, iPhones, and many other devices.

"Generally, Hulu.com offers up to the last five episodes that aired on TV, while Hulu Plus generally offers all current-season episodes..."

It's nice that they offer back episodes on Hulu Plus, but that's not something I'd be willing to pay for, especially since the content still includes advertisements. Also, new episodes are often not available until up to 30 days after the original air date, whereas on Hulu they seem to be available the next day (like iTunes).

Hopefully they will be able to bring the full Hulu catalog to the Apple TV at some point.

amazonstorm, on 31 July 2012 - 07:23 AM, said:

Try telling that to every paying cable customer in the history of television.

gk_brown, on 31 July 2012 - 07:12 AM, said:

Yes, you are missing something: You can only view the "free" Hulu content from a web browser on your computer; in order to view Hulu content from the various other supported platforms, such as the iOS app, Android app, XBox, PS3, Roku, Wii, various set-top boxes -- and now, the AppleTV -- you have to subscribe to Hulu Plus.

(But, it seems you found that yourself, while I was typing... )

This post has been edited by zarmanto: 31 July 2012 - 07:35 AM

monospaced, on 31 July 2012 - 07:28 AM, said:

I totally empathize with Storm -- for exactly the reason you cited. I don't subscribe to cable at all, myself, and the vast proliferation of commercials on channels which used to have far fewer interruptions is indeed one of my reasons for eschewing it.

That said... the more things change, the more they stay the same. Television started out at the beginning as an ad supported model, and with the introduction of cable, they migrated many viewers (temporarily) to what seemed to be predominantly a viewer supported model... and as time passed, they slowly pushed nearly all of their content back to that ad supported model, without giving up the viewer supported revenue stream. Likewise, different streaming content providers have toyed with both models, (with various stutters and false starts) and I view Hulu as evidence that many customers are willing to continue putting up with the same two-pronged model that cable television pioneered.

(Ironically, my wife has subscribed to both Netflix and Hulu Plus. You know what they say, though... happy wife, happy life... )

This post has been edited by zarmanto: 31 July 2012 - 07:59 AM