NBC's Jeff Zucker talks about Boxee with congress, Boxee talks about The Facts with Jeff Zucker
By Paul Miller 
posted February 4th 2010 6:40PM
posted February 4th 2010 6:40PM
He also takes issue with some of Zucker's other points, pointing out that Hulu dropped Boxee based on a request from NBC, while Zucker calls it a decision by "Hulu management," and he also points out that Boxee hasn't found NBC as open to negotiations as Zucker claims to be, but will be giving it another shot -- perhaps with some of that subscription fee cash mixed in somewhere to sweeten the deal? It's worth watching the short clip on C-Span and reading the entire Boxee rebuttal, even if it won't make you any less angry.I'd like to set the record straight regarding Boxee's access to Hulu. Boxee uses a web browser to access Hulu's content – just like Firefox or Internet Explorer. Boxee users click on a link to Hulu's website and the video within that page plays. We don't "take" the video. We don't copy it. We don't put ads on top of it. The video and the ads play like they do on other browsers or on Hulu Desktop. And it certainly is legal to do so.
Zucker looks like a very smart, nice guy.
/s
@Floppy
I'm surprised he still has a job.
@Floppy does looking like a sleazy guy lead to becoming one or is it the other way around?
go boxee
@Floppy is it just me or does it look like if he smiles you'll see a row of billiard balls?
@Floppy
I hear him and Bobby Kotick are up for Time's Man of the Year for 2010...
Next on CSPAN 8 . . . "the Ocho" . . .
@Floppy
Alright, I'm probably going to be the only one in this whole thing defending this dude. Well at least explaining the issue, why it is 'smart', at least at this moment in time.
It's about one thing and one thing only - preserving cable subs. A home PC is not a threat. An HTPC is not a threat. Because they will never be a mainstream avenue to replace TV. It's an appliance thing. (same reason the iPad and others of its ilk will eventually be successful - it's an appliance that replaces what the mainstream uses a computer for). Boxee is an appliance.
You can argue till your face gets blue that a browser is an application and whatever, but it's all about platform.
There is, however, still an issue of piracy. That's where Hulu comes in. Hulu in its current incarnation is not meant to get too big... just like streaming Netflix, it's supposed to be good enough to be seen as a value add, but nowhere near a replacement. In 5 years? Sure, streaming quality will be up, DRM/subscription/pay-per-view/advertising models will be in better place, Comcast will get its stake in all of this. But that's not today.
@Beau
I'm sorry, did you say blocking content from the people your providing it to is smart?
@Beau
Boxee is not an appliance. Not yet anyway. The boxee box is not out yet, and when Hulu started blocking Boxee, the 'box' was not even an announced product. Boxee was/is/and will continue to be, a program that runs on an HTPC or Desktop computer. And when Boxee does play Hulu videos, they play with all the commercials. There has never been a rational explanation offered for why they continue to block Boxee, or try to. I believe a rational explanation does actually exist. Hulu wants to control the entire browsing experience, not just the content. So, accessing their content, ads and all, without their interface is viewed by Hulu as an infringement on their brand. I would accept that. But they have not ever made that statement.
I miss read his name as: Jeff Sucker -.-
"llegally" -- don't you mean "illegally" ?
:D And anyways, how do you illegally take content that is available to anyone with a browser? All they did was make their own UI around it...ridiculous.
@DoctarPeppar Which is strictly in violation of the Hulu TOS. (Sorry for the long paste...)
"You may not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service or other means copy, download, stream capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, distribute, upload, publish, modify, translate, broadcast, perform, display, sell, transmit or retransmit the Content unless expressly permitted by Hulu in writing. You may not incorporate the Content into, or stream or retransmit the Content via, any hardware or software application or make it available via frames or in-line links."
@TVGenius
"You may not incorporate the Content into, or stream or retransmit the Content via, any hardware or software application or make it available via frames or in-line links"
If one interprets that line strictly without any loop holes (as it often is in courts) that line means that NO SOFTWARE (not even MSIE, any browser) can access HULU's content, because it is a software application, without written approval.
Does Microsoft, Opera, FireFox, _insert every other browser maker on planet earth here_, have expressed written permission from HULU to load hulu.com when typed in the address bar? I think not.
If they *really* cared about people grabbing their content, they wouldn't allow anyone to view it on ANY browser -- they would have a custom made application or ActiveX control that loads fully encrypted content and streams, and FORCE you to use that. They are just being douche bags toward Boxee.
@DoctarPeppar
What they didn't say is that the ONLY reason they don't want Hulu on Boxee is that Boxee allows an easy way to view content on your TV. Hulu.com is meant to be watched on a small computer screen. (I guess they didn't think through the idea of Media PCs.) If you want to watch the content on your TV, they want to make sure you watch it on their network, not Hulu.
It's absolutely ridiculous because it's fighting the way people access content. If Hulu was smart, they would embrace ventures like Boxee because it gives people MORE opportunities to watch their content (and see their ads). For instance, I almost never watch things when they air anymore. If it isn't online, I may not see it. NBC would be wise to embrace customers like me because I don't think I'm alone.
@TVGenius
Since when is Hulu's TOS "the law"?
@TVGenius
If I understand correctly than those TOS would mean that Boxee did not violate them. They did not retransmit, copy or capture anything. They provided a browser to view the content on Hulu's webpage and not their own.
I really don't see how this merger is good for anyone. The less people creating & distributing content, the worse off we will be. Take a look at what just happened in Venezuela. 1 person in charge of all cable TV and he shuts off everyone that refuses to air his propaganda. Not good...
@jasonact
With all due respect - it's not simply about being on the TV. Hulu is about curbing piracy. People running HTPCs will never be in the mainstream. Those running appliances such a Boxee Box/Roku, etc will though.
@KeegdnaB
EPIC RAID on Jeff Zucker...let's make it like the movie hackers when they owned that black secret service dude!
@DoctarPeppar Mess with the best, die like the rest.
"what about Boxee?"
Ohh god. Rick Boucher visits 4chan....
Frankly, I dont care what Jeff Zucker thinks.
@r3tr0b0t Nice to see you here Conan - hope things are going well for you!
Come on Boxee! Keep Hulu on for more than 7 months! Don't let Zucker bring you down.
Geez now I'm beginning to realize Zucker is a fun-sucker.. How am I supposed to watch Conan on my Boxee? Thanks buddy, now life sucks.
I think this guy qualifies for worst CEO ever. I mean, he made a stupid move by trying to start his own Video Download service and taking off NBC content from iTunes, and then he got rid of Conan. I hope when Comcast takes over, they fire his ass.
@jordanbiffle Agreed. Where do I sign the petition?
@jordanbiffle
I can't believe he got rid of CoCo :(
The other stuff I can handle, but why CoCo!!!
@jordanbiffle No no no, Johnathan Schwartz is the worst CEO over. http://www.fakesteve.net/2010/02/my-little-pony-a-look-back.html
@jordanbiffle
Since NBC also owns ScyFy (i think?), I'm blaming this jerk for ending Battlestar Gallactica too!!
Down with the man!!
@jordanbiffle I hope Comcast doesn't take over. They raised the prices for DirecTV to license their networks, like Versus. Now Versus doesn't exist on DirecTV. I don't want the same thing to happen with NBC. In my area, Cox Communications still has Comcast networks, but that's only because they can't directly compete with each other. But, Cox cable sucks.
You know, suits are supposed to be smart, right? Most have their MBAs and are, in general business environments, sharks. Why is it that when it comes to anything internet or technology related they revert to the likeness of an overgrown, dumb mule?
I don't expect everyone to be knowledgeable about everything and anything "tech," just like I'm not an expert in say, medical, economic or legal fields. If am confronted with a dilemma related to a specific subject I'm not familiar with, I do research, I look at all aspects and I make my assessment from the most logical perspective possible. If I'm unable to take those steps, I confer with someone who is an expert.
How about following some of those steps, Jeff Zucker, President & CEO of NBC Universal? Sound good? Yeah? Ok, good.
@Scape3d Because the internet threatens most, if not all traditional business models and it scares them.
@Scape3d Because when it comes to the 'net and those new fangled computational boxes they simply put their fingers in their ears and shout, "LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HERE YOU LA LA LA LA"
I find it hilarious that they want be paid for things that originate for broadcast anyway.
@Scape3d for what it's worth, business degrees are generally considered the joke of college degrees. it's sort of the meathead-fallback major, and the asshole morons that went in come out the other side pretty much the same asshole morons, just with an extra helping of capitalist rhetoric and management buzz-words (of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but not very many in my experience).
@Scape3d
At least Mel Karmazin doesn't exude "dumb mule." At least I don't think he does, anyway.
I'm just curious as to how Rep. Boucher came up with the Boxee comment. Is he a geek or was that somehow one of the talking points?
Anyway, Boxee wins just by being mentioned.
@aubreyq
As with anyone in Congress, they have young aides who do the research and come up with talking points for their boss. I doubt any of these people in Congress wouldn't be able to tell you the diff between 802.11 and 802.16.
@aubreyq I think Boucher has a reputation for being one of the more technically savvy members of congress.
@milkham Agreed. Boucher does tend to be more tech savy than other members of the Commerce Committee. Realistically though, this was likely a point made to his staff by a public interest group opposed to the merger.
Nonetheless -- it was a good question, and a horrible response.
@aubreyq
Interesting, I grew up in Boucher's district, and I think his main "home" office is in my home town. I'm just as (if not more) surprised that it was Boucher who brought up Boxee, as my area tends to be a bit behind on the whole technological forefront dealie.
Either way, SWVA represent! Thanks Boucher, for exposing even more-so the enormous douche that is Jeff Zucker.
@bradg You could write to him asking him to read Boxee's response, especially the part about NBC asking Hulu to block access.
@milkham Lowest hurdle to clear ever.
Isn't this a clear case of slander by Jeff Zucker / NBC?
@elias: It's certainly borderline, if it's not.
@elias
I agree... but simply because he used the word "illegally." Even if what Boxee did was against the TOS, there is a large difference between violating TOS and violating the law.
Did they violate the TOS? Debatable.
Did they violate the law? Absolutely not. Not even a little bit.
@elias I was thinking perjury, as he was testifying obvious falsehoods in front of Congress, but anything that gets him behind bars sounds good to me.
Now if they could only bring Hulu to Canada without having to resort to using silly (and slow) proxies.
In other news... I really can't wait for the Boxee Box! :-D
Wow, our little Boxee is all growed up! I'm so proud! :-)
I'm with coco
@nerd
I'm with CoCo!
@nerd - +1