Happy Birthday Hulu

Hulu has change our dreary lives forever. Hulu has most recently been voted into the top 10 websites for this year. It is changing the way that we consume content, but more important where we consume it. No longer are you locked into watching your television or attempting to strain through torrents to find the poor grade of quality. Besides that now you are no longer being a deviant and watching pirate content. Anywho…..Hulu has changed alot. Mostly for the better, some of it could be better though.

Positives

1. First Mover

Hulu is the new cool kid at the party. Not that nerdy one that just moved into the neighborhood. Nearly a year after its dubious launch everyone is attempting to do business with them. It is estimate that by the middle of next year they will have matched Youtubes advertising. This is very impressive due to the fact that Hulu does not have 98% of its content considered a loss.

2. Embeddable

Naturally, there have been several other contenders in this arena, but Hulu is the first that has been able to do it with some class. Sure Youtube, but thats about as ugly as you can get. Also the variety of content that you are LEGALLY allowed to embed is purdy nifty. Which brings us to….

3. Broad Content

Hulu never ceases to amaze me with its broad array of content both old and new. I can’t explain the sheer joy of being able to watch “He-Man” on Hulu, as well as the latest episode of “Prison Break.” Interestingly enough networks are eager to place their content here, and other directories are beginning to shape up under this

4. Simplistic

It might as well be copied by ____ . Other corporations are slowly getting the idea. ABC causes users to utilize their premium player. Joost most recently discontinued their download P2P software in favor of promoting their .com home.

Negatives

1. Fix Awkward Update

Hulu has the habit of releasing content either far ahead of schedule, or a day after. “Hooking Up” (HBOlabs) experimented by releasing to specific locations (colleges) earlier then other destinations. The next most plausible step is to release them the day of, regardless of time slot. It would be in hte networks/hulus best interst due to the fact they control more rights and revenues online, and would further speed the public’s interest in consuming professional content online. A golden example would be the Olympics. Reports placed nearly half its viewing audiences consumed the events online. What more of a incentive or proof of concept do you need?

2. Add Independent Webseries

Currently, Hulu has made available a select few independent webseries. Since the somewhat recent success of “The Guild,” and “Dr. Horrible,” you would imagine they would eager to find and expose other undiscovered talents. However there is only one member deciphering through these content with no discernible criterion for accepting webseries into their almighty directory.

3. Create Content

Hulu is poised to be the first directory to cross over into creating content. Typically it has been content creators such as ABC, and CBS to create thier own destinations. Without Hulu establishing an additional incentive for this glorified directory will lose its prominence. Content has been/will be king, so why not partner with some growing studios?