NYT: Hulu planning iPad app, might be subscription based

We've been hearing whispers about a Hulu app for the iPad since the day Apple's tablet was announced, and things are starting to pick up steam: the New York Times says four different people familiar with Hulu's plans have said the app is coming, and that it will potentially require a subscription fee. That either makes a lot of sense (if you're a TV network exec looking to keep the Aston padding on your paycheck) or absolutely none at all (if you're everyone else), but it certainly seems like it's happening -- especially since Hulu CEO Jason Kilar told the Times that he's "open to subscriptions as a complement to the ad-supported model." That's as close to a confirmation as we've ever heard, but we've got a feeling Apple's putting the full-court press on Hulu and other networks like CBS -- we'd expect to see this go from rumor to reality relatively soon.

[balwheeler Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:51PM]

I'd hate Hulu if I didn't love it so much.

[JohnRiordan Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:51PM]

April fools?

[seangt Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:51PM]

i guess they're following the xbox live model of changing a service fee and still putting ads all over the place. AWESOME!

[Edobe Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:52PM]

1, Disable basic technologies (i.e) Flash on your product.
2. allow paid alternatives to said technologies via Apps
3. ???
4. profit

[Gamecheater Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:57PM]

HAH! I'll be enjoying Hulu for free on my $300 netbook!

[Atkins Posted Apr 1st 2010 1:15AM]

@Gamecheater Good luck with your smaller screen with crappier quality (or heavier device) and your poor battery life.

[vqro Posted Apr 1st 2010 3:31PM]

@Gamecheater God! I guess poor folks need something to show off about.

[Gamecheater Posted Apr 1st 2010 4:10PM]

@vqro

So a person is considered poor when they can get the same functionality in a different form factor for a lower price? My netbook is just as powerful as the iPad, runs flash, and can even run OS X (Hackintosh).

Seems like someone just likes to waste money.

[chiefy Posted Mar 31st 2010 10:58PM]

April fools x 2?

[Anatidae Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:04PM]

@Kinte Kunta Yup. No Flash == Your empty wallet paying for apps that would otherwise be free in Flash.

Apple LOVES customers like this.

[oneloveoneworld Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:07PM]

I'm not liking how companies first start out as free in all just the means to find out if it's popular, then start charging people, but who I'm to complain, it's business, which is all based on human greed (not this company, I mean in general).

[AckbarsFist Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:08PM]

I wouldn't mind paying a subscription fee if there were no adverts. But to "complement?" No thanks.

[Charlik Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:10PM]

@WP7S aside from the OS update rumor, none of the other stuff is under Apple's control.

[DirtySocks85 Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:15PM]

So can we see some iPhone support too?

[Lordstrom Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:23PM]

I have no problem paying for content.

[sumgoodman Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:28PM]

@Lordstrom

"Content" being the operative word here.

[n8equalsd Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:44PM]

@Lordstrom
that would otherwise be free?

[Atkins Posted Apr 1st 2010 1:16AM]

@n8equalsd Maybe not for long.

[gentlefury Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:41PM]

so pay a monthly fee and still have commercials? No Thanks...I have SlingBox for that!

[Deaf Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:43PM]

I hope Hulu CC feature works on the iPad.

[thinkindependent Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:44PM]

@Kinte Kunta

---can't yet.... Web os, and android will soon, long before ipod/iphone/ipad

[darksharpie Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:54PM]

@summerboy18 Why can't you? Or you cam stream them with something like air video

[kinglance82 Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:10AM]

I will gladly pay a SMALL amount IF i could get it without any issues on Boxee

[Jack Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:38AM]

"But you need flash for HULU!"

Flash just got served.

[TheGM Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:50AM]

@Jack Now all you need is $ from suckers or Flash. I'll take the latter.

[Atkins Posted Apr 1st 2010 1:19AM]

@TheGM Or it will all become paid ipad or not...

[bombastinator Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:41AM]

I watched Hulu today on my nexus one using PhoneMyPC to my desktop box at home for nothing at all. Suck it Apple.

[bombastinator Posted Apr 1st 2010 2:35AM]

@HighestRanked2 otherwise known as the googlephone.

[TheGM Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:50AM]

@Kinte Kunta They promised it by the end of the first half of the year. It hasn't even been delayed yet. They haven't missed their deadline, and they posted constant updates on their website and YouTube videos.So within the next 2 months...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:59AM]

I hope iPad puts an end to the stupid Hulu ad-supported thing. Those ads are annoying as hell. I'd rather pay a monthly subscription.

Are you listening network execs?

[TheGM Posted Apr 1st 2010 2:21AM]

@(Unverified) Please don't listen to him network executives. Ignore the crazy old man behind the curtain.

[ericg1840 Posted Apr 1st 2010 1:56AM]

Netlfix official app being released on saturday starting to wish I pre ordered one

[Mikkis74 Posted Apr 1st 2010 2:34AM]

Same as Spotify. Apple's politics clearly is that you can't get any content for free on their devices which use iPhone OS. I hate that.

[ghostdog Posted Apr 1st 2010 9:46AM]

subscription based? F*** no. especially with all the adds and commercials you guys have.

[vqro Posted Apr 1st 2010 3:29PM]

@Anatidae Um... most Apple customers are not poor.

[iPaul Posted Apr 1st 2010 4:24PM]

does this mean as a cable subscriber I get "FREE" access?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2010 9:16AM]

Hulu should make it subscription based. The audience is captive, and let's face it Apple iPhone / iPad owners pay good money for apps which can be had for free on other platforms.

[ghostaliaz Posted Apr 27th 2010 6:42AM]

Yes these Television networks are greedy as heck & what makes me mad is I am already paying for Dish Network Sat, Cable & Netflix & whoopee Another bill. I am so sick of these greedy big biz thiefs that keep taking & taking & never giving us consumers anything but a headache. Hulu must be crazy to charge someone $9.95 a month & there greedy scum of a company still wants us to watch there stinking ad's I heard from Leo from twit & as far as I am concern if I pay for there content, then I do not want to see any ad's plain & simple. If not then I will just go else where because Hulu is not the only website online with tv or movies, so screw them I already pay enough,Dish Network $99.99,Comcast Cable TV $12.99 for basic, plus $59.99 for cable internet, Netflix $18.99 & just added the Blu-Ray option so I think now Netflix will be $23.99 or so. I am getting the ipad 3g/WiFi & I am willing to pay, but only without ad's.Yeah I know I don't have to pay for all of these but I like to watch & have access to a lot of media, plus I paid for the basic because for some reason we get HD signal through our basic in our area & regular cable using just the RG59 Cable drop into the house, also I paid $69.99 for a pretty good HD over the air antenna for my Elgato EyeTV 250 plus. Well another bill to add to the stack, because it would be nice to have Hulu on my future Ipad 3G/Wifi.

[Waylo Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:18PM]

Give CEO Jason a piece of your mind:
[e-mail]