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Hulu.com out of beta, open for one and all - in the U.S.
That's right TV fans, Hulu.com is out of beta, anyone can set up an account and check out both short clips or full length episodes of many TV series and movies. Unfortunately the HD library is still limited to just movie trailers but while we wait for more 720p Adobe Flash content to hit the site, maybe the backing of FOX, NBC Universal, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Sony Pictures Television will provide something interesting to watch, with even more content on the way from Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, NBA and the NHL. We'll see how successful this experiment is, but go ahead and take a look, because we both know you don't have anything better to do than watch 34 episodes of Airwolf in a browser window.
Comcast's Fancast a hit with consumers
Comcast's Fancast was launched rather quietly at CES just weeks ago, but apparently, the firm has really hit a homerun with this endeavor. The 'net is ablaze with positive reviews about the new site, which allows users to "watch, manage and find entertainment content wherever it is available." Granted, it is offering up full-length content from CBS, NBC, FOX (provided by Hulu), MTV Networks and BET Networks, so it's hard to miss with that much programming on tap. Of course, you'll also find hordes of recommendations based on previous selections, and if all goes to plan, Fancast users will even be able to program their DVR from their PC (and mobile?) sometime in 2008. So, Fancast users, we're hearing oodles of good stuff about this outlet -- are you equally impressed?[Thanks, Nate]
Hulu opens up HD preview, more to come?
Just eight days after we pondered the future of HD content over the web, Hulu has stepped up to the plate to move things in the right direction. The streaming video site has recently announced the opening of an HD Gallery, which houses a small collection of 1,280 x 720 resolution files. Granted, the requirements for actually playing these files are quite high -- an internet connection exceeding 2,400Kbps, the latest build of Adobe Flash Player 9 and a wicked fast computer -- but at least the option is there for those with the requisite gear. Apparently, the files are being compressed via H.264, and while we're not told what other high-definition content is planned for the future, we'll be keeping our browsers tuned in to find out.[Via CNET]
Report shows Apple needs NBC back, like yesterday
A report issued by Forrester Research suggests that contrary to conventional wisdom (or at least the comments here at TUAW), Apple is the loser in their feud with NBC-Universal. The on-going fight, which reached fruition last week, as all all NBC-Universal content was removed from iTunes, hurts Apple more than it hurts NBC. James McQuivey, an analyst for Forrest Research, urges Apple to make-up with NBC, otherwise they risk losing their spot as a major source in the distribution of online broadcast content. Why? Because although iTunes dominates the world of digital music sales, the same cannot be said for iTunes video downloads.According to the report, which was quoted by CNET, Apple relies on NBC to deliver 30% of their video download sales. This is in line with the 40% figure claimed by NBC in October (I say we split the difference at 35 or call it a third). Furthermore, a Forrester study revealed that only 19% of users buy video content (either TV shows or full length movies) from iTunes and of that 19%, the average amount spent on videos is $30. Meanwhile, competing pay services like Amazon Unbox and the free offerings provided by the networks own websites and through services like the Fox and NBC collaboration Hulu.com make paying for an iTunes download, just so you can watch it on an iPod or Apple TV, less inviting or appealing to users.
NBC officially removed from the iTunes Store
Now that December has arrived and NBC's contract has expired, all of their content has been removed from the iTunes Store, as promised. That means no more Bravo, mun2, NBC, NBC News, CNBC, NBC Sports, Sci Fi, Sleuth, Telemundo or USA Network (Go ahead and look. We'll wait).It looks like the two companies were unable to patch things up, not surprising considering their ugly, public fighting. Good luck to NBC with hulu and that wonderful NBC Direct service, which sounds great. It requires Internet Explorer, the NBC Direct Player (Windows only) and the latest .Net framework. Videos are available for only 7 days after they initially air, and disappear from your computer 48 hours after you begin watching them (unless you remember to renew your license before then). Also, videos will only play on the computer used for the initial download. Mac users cannot use the service, though NBC says a Mac version is "...planned for 2008." Finally, downloads cannot be transferred to portable devices. Awesome. [Via MacDailyNews]
Jeff Zucker says iTunes deal only netted NBC Universal $15 million
Not that it comes as much of surprise given recent developments, but NBC Universal's Jeff Zucker is clearly still none too pleased about the company's deal with Apple, as evidenced by his recent comments at a benefit for Syracuse University. According to Variety, Zucker lamented the lack of flexibility on pricing, and the fact that NBC U wasn't able to get a cut of Apple's hardware sales, saying that "Apple sold millions of dollars worth of hardware off the back of our content." He also dropped the bomb that the iTunes deal netted NBC U "just" $15 million in revenue, despite the fact that NBC's programming accounted for 40% of video sales on iTunes. Not coincidentally, all of this comes on the same day that NBC Universal (and its partners) launched the beta version of Hulu.com, which it hopes will provide some competition to iTunes, not to mention be better for its bottom line.
