In the next two months, the fate for Hulu’s free content will be decided, as Comcast looks to pool their entertainment assets with the video assets of Hulu’s parent company, NBC Universal. A deal would potentially end free video content on the site, as Comcast has made no secret of its disdain for Hulu’s approach of giving away the shows that pay-TV distributors spend billions for and rely on to retain subscribers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
If the deal goes through, Comcast could require payment for access to some of it’s more popular shows like “The Office” and “The Daily Show With John Stewart”. Hulu, a partnership between NBC, Fox and Walt Disney Co., has reeled in millions of people since it’s launch early last year. However, those millions of viewers, argue investors, helped the three companies sustain $33 million of losses.
The concern has already resulted in cutbacks for the viewers-certain cable programs have already been limited in terms of access on Hulu. What’s good for the viewer, doesn’t seem to be good for business.—JG
Would you pay for content that you used to get for free?