Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hulu's subscription service might run $5 for access to select shows]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/hulus-subscription-service-might-run-5-for-access-to-select-sh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/hulus-subscription-service-might-run-5-for-access-to-select-sh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/hulus-subscription-service-might-run-5-for-access-to-select-sh/#commentsHulu There was a mini-internet revolt the last time NBC Universal's TV chief started talking about ways to actually turn a profit from Hulu and the search for a balance continues. People familiar with the matter -- our favorite source by the way -- told the LA Times that the search in question could take another six months before official pricing is announced, but the latest idea being thrown around is to charge a $5 per month subscription for access to older shows. A quick search of Hulu just showed that only the past four or five episodes of newer shows are currently available, so charging for older shows means new access to additional content. We have to say that offering additional programming above and beyond what is currently free is a pretty good strategy, but the other one we'd like to see is a premium option to view content commercial free -- no word on if any of the paid content will still have commercials. The one thing this won't change is the fact that the content creators already sold the rights to these shows on the TV, which of course means Hulu won't be able to stop going out of its way to block things like Boxee and the PS3 -- still kind of shocked that PlayOn isn't affected.

Hulu's subscription service might run $5 for access to select shows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArsTechnicaHuluLA TimesLaTimesstreamingThu, 21 Jan 2010 22:02:00 EST<![CDATA[At $1 a day Redbox is perfect for consumers, not so much for Hollywood]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/at-1-a-day-redbox-is-perfect-for-consumers-not-so-much-for-hol/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/at-1-a-day-redbox-is-perfect-for-consumers-not-so-much-for-hol/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/at-1-a-day-redbox-is-perfect-for-consumers-not-so-much-for-hol/#comments
Not sure who would've guessed that Redbox Kiosk rentals would be this successful, but evidently most don't mind heading out of the house to rent a movie if the price is right. But it seems that as popular as the disc vending machines are with consumers, Hollywood isn't too keen on the idea. Evidently it is believed that the $1 rental fee is more effective at motivating consumers to rent instead of buy when compared with other alternatives like Netflix and Blockbuster. The interesting thing here to us is that at least one studio (Universal) has attempted to delay selling titles to the company in an attempt to help DVD sales, but as you might expect, Redbox responded with a lawsuit -- which is still pending. Seems to us that Redbox is yet another great example of how packaged media isn't dead, because if for no other reason it is useful because it helps prevent the draconian control of content that Hollywood would obviously love to have.

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At $1 a day Redbox is perfect for consumers, not so much for Hollywood originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hdLA timesLaTimesRedboxFri, 03 Apr 2009 12:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Consumers are/aren't hot for mobile TV, Part V]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/14/consumers-are-arent-hot-for-mobile-tv-part-v/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/14/consumers-are-arent-hot-for-mobile-tv-part-v/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/14/consumers-are-arent-hot-for-mobile-tv-part-v/#commentsIt appears that despite a strong push by carriers and content providers, consumers' cold, uneasy reception of mobile video continues. This time around, LA Times and Bloomberg have the numbers, showing that a mere 9% of folks in the influential 18-24 age bracket have any desire to watch television on their handset, compared to 40% who wouldn't mind doing so on their computer. The numbers get even worse for movies -- and understandably so -- with just 6% wanting to squint their way through a film. The numbers get a little better among 12-17 year olds with 14% willing to give mobile television a shot, but still, it looks like major investments in mobile TV infrastructure could prove to be money pits if stakeholders don't figure out how to hook 'em while they're young.

[Via PVR Wire]

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Consumers are/aren't hot for mobile TV, Part V originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Aug 2006 21:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloombergdmbdvbla timesLaTimesmobilemobile tvMobileTvmultimediastudiesstudyMon, 14 Aug 2006 21:43:00 EST