Hulu finally responds to PS3 blocking complaints
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jul 16th 2009 2:13PM
posted Jul 16th 2009 2:13PM
[Thanks, Connor]
Hulu RE: about PS3 Browser Block:
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).
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.
We hear your frustration, and solving it remains our full-time job.
Thanks,
Rob
Hulu
...."Cause we're aliens. And thats how we roll."
Dear Hulu,
I am sooooo disappointed in you. I remember reading this article in Wired:
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-10/mf_hulu
and thinking that Jason Kilar and you guys "got it". But I was wrong. This letter is a bunch of words saying: "Were sticking with the old, stupid business model and there's nothing you can do about it".
Wrong. If you're not going to allow me to watch legal content on my TV, I'll torrent it.
Seriously, Hulu, don't follow the music industry into irrelevance.
Sincerely,
Isaac
P.S. I use PlayOn, so suck it.
really?! disappointment guaranteed!
My problem with their behavior is that they have several content providers that don't care what "window" their videos go out over. Others, apparently, do care. Yet, Hulu chooses to block ALL content providers to the PS3.
"We do, however, expect these windows to converge over time. "
At least they see reality coming right at them.
That's about what I expected. Some prepared response that confuses and raises more questions than it answers.....which are none.
"Content Owners" are a double-edged sword for Hulu. Hulu needs them to legally provide the streaming content to Hulu, but content owners are flat out pissing off the consumer cash cow which in turn looks very bad for Hulu.
Consumers do not need content owners. They may want or like content, but there is no actual need. It is not food. It is not shelter. Content owners on the other hand have an absolute need of consumers. If "content consumers" feel screwed over, they will acquire content in other ways and those ways are usually ones in which "content owners" make much less profit.
Actually, penguin, allow me to point out the flaw in your logic. I'll even do it in only 3 words:
PS3 Supports Linux.
Oh TDB the PS3 can't play Hulu, and it doesn't matter anyway there is still tons of content out there... If you don't like it boycott them. You know how much losing 20m users, if even that, is going to hurt them? I swear PS3 users are some of the biggest complainers out there and everybody knows it, if you want content why don't you demand Sony change their policies and provide a premium online service like XBox Live Gold instead of the piss pore service they are providing now. Just face it you have to either pony up the dollars to make it worth these content providers time or you aren't going to get anything worth having.
Why should PS3 owners pay to access the same content every Internet user has access to? Just because you own an Xbox 360 and have to pay for their online service, that doesn't mean everyone should. In the simplest terms, the PS3 is a computer with a browser...why should it be treated differently? Jackhole.
You either uninformed, or you're trolling.
This has nothing to do with PSN being free or Xbox live gold. That is irrelevant.
The problem isn't that the PS3 can't play Hulu, but rather that it's being intentionally blocked. Up until a few weeks ago, the PS3 played Hulu just fine.
Actually no the PS3 is not a computer, if it was they wouldn't have to block it. They've blocked the PS3 browser because unlike a computer which is generally not hooked up to a TV the PS3 is, thus increasing the traffic across their network because 100% of the PS3s out there using it are hooked up to a TV which increases the likelihood of viewing content from their site, people don't like sitting around for hours on end watching videos on their computer's 21"-26" monitors, but those who have their computers hooked up to their TVs/HDTVs watch far more content, go check NetFlix statistics from before being added to XBox 360 and after it was added, it skyrocketed. The reason why the PS3 is being targeted is because of this, and unless Sony is willing to pay them for their network services, or a deal is worked out, it wont change because the increased viewership isn't being counter acted by the ads on Hulu. Also did anybody even bother to read the system requirements?
Let me help you out:
Internet Explorer 6.0 or above, Firefox 1.5 or above, or Safari 2.0 or above
JavaScript and Cookies must also be enabled
Adobe Flash Player 9.0.115 or above
Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista, Macintosh OS X or Linux
Odd, I don't see PS3 OS or Web Browser listed there, so there for previously you were abusing their system requirements policies because of the fact that the PS3 uses a generic OS and Browser, and they've blocked them.
The pay vs none pay argument does apply here, Microsoft pays Netflix for the increased traffic, this is the reason why its only on Gold, and probably the same reason why Netflix has yet to agree to allow the PS3 access to it, they don't make any extra money off of instant view and the increased traffic certainly would effect the network requiring upgrades.
What I think you're forgetting is Hulu provides a service to the PC community not the TV/Gamer community, and they have the rights to deny service to anybody for any reason, its their Website.
3D... While I don't use Hulu or know enough about it, I just wanted to make one correction...
I'm not sure what you mean by "Generic OS," but the PS3 actually uses Linux. They have a lot of specialized technologies, and encryption layers on top, but it's still Linux at heart. Mac OS X, similarly uses Darwin (BSD based I think, can't keep it straight), which is free and Open Source, but their whole UI and API structures are also proprietary.
Doesn't really make any difference to what you're saying. Just wanted to throw that out there.
-Pie
MS pays for the increased traffic on netflix!?!?
Where are you getting this malarkey??? SERIOUSLY???
You Think Samsung, Sony, LG, and others are paying for the streaming that their TVs, and Blu-ray players do?? you sir need to get your head examined.....
Not to mention I can STILL play hulu on my PS3 via ubuntu...further proving the PS3 IS a PC....look up the definition of a personal computer and THEN tell me the PS3 doesnt fit that definition.....
Written by wannabe politicians. They wrote a lot, yet said nothing.
Now you guys know what we have to suffer from here in Europe! We get these error messages even when watching Hulu on the computer!
I've always felt a little sorry for you guys. Those "windows" will eventually converge too.
"I'm Sarah Palin, and I approve this message." A lot of mumbo jumbo saying nothing of actual value.
Translation from Media Studio-ese to layperson english:
"The media content industry, particularly the studios, have an antiquated business model that was established when we controlled everything.
Although times, technology, and customer preferences are rapidly changing, we refuse to be pressured to adapt at a flexible and reactive pace.
Therefore, we will continue our feeble attempts at limiting access to content to within our preconditions by ineffectively applying technologies that we do not understand, only to be bypassed by those that do.
This model of resistance to change in business structure to accommodate changing markets has seemingly worked for the American auto industry for decades and we will attempt to give it our shot."
;-) Hope that made someone laugh...
Alternative Hulu-ese to layperson english translation:
"The media content providers have our b*!!s locked in a box in their pockets since they own the content and have all the money. Please bear with us while we attempt to get them back sometime in the future. Yes, this sucks, but like a badly abused whipped husband with no pre-nup, we have no choice but to live with it the way it is until they tell us otherwise."
:-)
Play-on....'nuff said....
Word. Play-On is the shit.
What the heck are the Windows Mobile users out there supposed to do?
I feel like my phone took a step backwards and is now less useful.
:(
YouTube XL doesn't cut it.
This "note" said nothing of use to PS3 owners. It also answered nothing as to why, except to imply that the PS3 channel had been objected to by some company (likely sony) along with some gag clause.
Regardless of the underlying industry dysfunction, the letter/note/memo/release accomplishes nothing at all except increase my frustration.