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Hulu, Miramax deal means Netflix, Hulu Plus both add Pulp Fiction and more starting today
According to a blog post and press release (after the break) Hulu is bringing Miramax films to its free and paid Hulu Plus services. This is also the same day the Miramax deal kicks in for Netflix, so both just added notable movies including Clerks, Swingers, Basquiat, The Crow and Reservoir Dogs. Miramax movies on Hulu Plus are presented ad-free and in HD, just like on Netflix Watch Instantly, and both appear to have the same selection available, although one negative side effect of parity is that neither has optional closed captions on streaming for any of them. The only difference so far? Soon, Hulu will offer a rotation of 15 Miramax movies per month through Hulu.com for ad-supported viewing. While we're sure some will wait for Miramax to work through its Blu-ray release backlog (CEO Mike Lang is on it, although we still don't have a date for Pulp Fiction) it's good to suddenly see a catalog that had been locked away due to the studio's pending sale suddenly become available through so many outlets.
Hulu Plus on TiVo Premiere hands-on
As rumored, Hulu Plus is now officially available on the TiVo Premiere, and according to TiVo, this "further extends its lead as the only one-box solution that integrates in one easy-to-use user interface." We supposed this is technically true, but it depends on your definition of "integrates" -- we'll discuss why after the jump. Hulu Plus of course comes at a monthly premium, but the other news is that new TiVo Premiere owners will get the privilege gratis for six months, while existing Premiere owners get what is described as a "free trial" which we assume is the standard one month risk trial -- as opposed to the variety that doesn't require a credit card. %Gallery-124194%
Hulu Plus on TiVo promos pop up in stores and online, suggest launch soon
Although TiVo announced it would offer Hulu Plus back in September we're still waiting for it to arrive on those Premiere DVRs. Twitter user @dlayphoto spotted these materials in their local Best Buy promising six months of the $7.99 / month service for free with the purchase of a new box -- with a new price tag -- although it's hard to see if this will apply to existing users as well. The URL on the cards leads to a (now deactivated, but larger screenshots are over at Zatz Not Funny) page where TiVo owners can input their serial number and email address to get access. Judging by the dates on the promotions, things should get rolling within the next month or so, but we'll let you know when we hear something official.
Hulu Plus for iOS updated to v2.3, resumes resuming
Sure, Hulu Plus is on the Xbox 360 now, but that's not the only platform getting some love this week as the app for iOS was updated yesterday. New tweaks in v2.3 include tabbed search results, a dedicated menu for the Criterion Collection plus improvements for the iPad 2 and other minor tweaks. If you were missing the "resume" button take heart - it's back now. Hit the app store for the updated version of the free app and put that $7.99 per month subscription to work.
Hulu Plus on Xbox 360 launches tomorrow, all members get a free week thanks to beef jerky
It's true, per Major Nelson Hulu Plus will launch on Xbox 360 tomorrow amid a slew of promotions, the first of which will provide free access to the service for all US-based Xbox Live members (free or paid) through May 6th courtesy of Jack Link's Beef Jerky. We should be able to get some hands on time with the app in a few. Until then you can imagine what it will be like to watch 24 The Confession in HD or every episode of Spaced through your console in between rounds of messin' with Sasquatch (explanation after the break). After spending some time with the app, it seems to work about as expected, mirroring the experience of Microsoft's Zune video on-demand without the need to pay-per-video. The Kinect implementation is similarly (and unfortunately) limited just like it was for Netflix, giving users the ability to browse only a list of preselected "popular" videos by gesture or voice. As seen in the video after the break, in-video commands work the same as well, so if talking to the TV is more convenient than grabbing the remote, you're in luck. We did find a slight issue with the picture quality, on many of the TV shows motion appeared jerkier and less smooth than other video apps on the 360, while it didn't have any of the pausing or dropping users have cited recently on the PS3, it was noticeable. The best news however, is that you don't even need a credit card to get in on the weeklong trial, so give the app a download and try it out yourself. Update: Now with screens plus details on the giveaways and a demo of Hulu Plus w/ Kinect after the break! %Gallery-122485%
Hulu Plus credits users for PlayStation Network-related downtime
In reaction to the week-long (and still going) outage of the PlayStation Network, Hulu has decided to issue users a credit for the downtime. That should net Hulu Plus subscribers $2 off of this months bill, which is pretty good considering that - a. it's not Hulu's fault and b. you can still use the service on a handful of other devices. Kudos to Hulu for the thoughtful customer service, though it still stands in stark contrast to the fiasco that made the credit necessary. If you use the service simply check your email for the letter shown above and click the link to receive your credit. [Thanks, Darren, Alex, Shahraiz]
Hulu Plus comes to Xbox 360 April 29th according to OXM
Here's something to ponder -- will Hulu Plus launch on the Xbox 360 before or after we can sign back into the PSN and change our passwords try out the PS3's latest version? Sony better hurry, since copies of the June issue of OXM have been spotted that claim the service will launch April 29th, kicking off a month-long giveaway of items including vacations, game systems and Hulu Plus subscriptions to random users. Joystiq confirmed with OXM that the date is actually in the magazine so all that's left now is the official word, a new app on our dashboards and plenty of gesture and voice controlled madness.
Poll: What's the most important feature for a Netflix competitor?
The rumor mill indicates we can expect serious competition for Netflix's Watch Instantly service sometime soon, so we're wondering what features anyone else diving into the game may want to focus on in order to get your attention. Given the service's wide reach we figure you're probably a subscriber or at least gave it a shot whether by word of mouth or through one of those annoying pop under ads (why do they still run those?) and have seen some room for improvement. We've put a few of our ideas as options in the poll below, let us know what you'd like to see most in the comments below. %Poll-63017%
RIM wants Hulu Plus on the Blackberry PlayBook, 'conversations' continue
RIM wants Hulu Plus on the just-released Blackberry PlayBook. It also wants everyone to know it wants Hulu Plus on the Blackberry PlayBook, after the streaming video service unceremoniously blocked access to its videos just days after the tablet's launch. Now, both PC Mag and The Wall Street Journal are reporting the same terse email statement from RIM: "We are in conversations with Hulu to bring the Hulu Plus subscription service to BlackBerry PlayBook users." No word on the content of those conversations or a timeline for resolution, so for now PlayBook users will need to find another way to satisfy their yearning for Seinfeld reruns.
L.A. Times sees possible competition for Netflix coming from Walmart, Best Buy, Vutopia and more
Until Amazon launched its Prime Instant Video service earlier this year Netflix was almost completely alone on the subscription video streaming mountaintop, but an article this weekend in the Los Angeles Times suggests there could be competition on the way. There's plenty of rumoring from analysts and the typical "people familiar with the matter, but their sources have been on the money in the past and indicate retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are seriously considering angling their Vudu and CinemaNow efforts in the subscription direction instead of VOD like they've done so far. Meanwhile Hulu Plus is reportedly considering expanding its movie selection, and Amazon is likely to puff up its offerings while iN Demand, the PPV baby of the cable companies, is considering expanding its 200~ title Vutopia service. Still, according to the article no one's signed any of the big checks necessary to take on the 20-million subscribers strong behemoth yet, but don't be surprised if serious competition arrives shortly.
Hulu Plus for PS3 updated, users still complaining about playback issues
Just a few weeks after hitting v1.01, the Hulu Plus app for PlayStation 3 was updated to v1.03 a few days ago, crediting user feedback as helpful in clearing up issues with skipping or stalling during playback. Unfortunately, in the comments many users are reporting they're still having issues, with many saying they only started in the last month or so. It's hard to determine the cause of each individual's issues from here, but if you're having any problems we'd suggest letting Hulu know so they can get straightened out. In happier Hulu news, the company released its Q1 stats at the beginning of the month, calling its projected growth to 1 million Hulu Plus subscribers this year the fastest launch it is aware of for any online subscription video service, and 90 percent revenue growth over last year. Criterion fans should also notice some new sorting options, along with supplemental videos which, if you'll recall, was a part of what lured the flicks away from Netflix in the first place. Feel free to check them out whenever the PlayStation Network comes back up again.
Hulu Plus, Kinect updates for Xbox 360 caught on camera (update: video!)
Our friends at Joystiq have obtained screenshots showing off Hulu Plus in action on the console, as well as a shot of the Kinect Hub with Hulu and Netflix apps included. According to their tipster the Hulu (which looks similar to Zune Video as predicted) and Avatar Kinect apps are "fully functional," with good tracking of their movements similar to existing uses for the peripheral. there's no word on whether or not members of the larger public preview will get an early peek at these features, but you can still hit the source link below for a better look. Update: The folks over at OmniTechNews have a hands-on video of Hulu Plus. Check it out after the break.
Roku Hulu Plus hits version 1.9 with a few improvements
Besides its 1996 throwback shenanigans, Hulu has rolled out an update to its channel on Roku media streamers today. In concert with Roku's update yesterday it should help make Hulu Plus streaming a smoother experience, tweaking for overscan and improving playback reporting just like the recent update on PS3. So far the reaction there seems mostly positive, let us know if you're finding things any different since the update in the comments.
Hulu's new original series The Confession fills the 24-sized hole in our hearts
Hulu has been pushing original programming for some time and even though Netflix has gotten recent pub for far off plans, it just released the first three episodes of a new series, The Confession, starring 24's Kiefer Sutherland. For the 10-episode run he's playing an assassin in each of these 5- to 7-minute episodes and while Chloe, Morris and the gang aren't anywhere to be found, it's close enough to be the Jack Bauer bump we've been missing all these long months. We're not sure any of these original series will potentially fill holes left if content providers pull their movies and shows from either service, but it can't hurt. The video's embedded above, and available in HD via Hulu Plus, Chapters 4 and 5 are due to arrive next week.
Hulu Plus updated to v1.01 on PS3, smooths out a few minor issues
Next time you turn on Hulu Plus on your PlayStation 3 expect a quick update first, as it has been updated to v1.01. You may already have the patch that the Hulu blog indicates started going out this morning, if you're wondering what's different it appears to just be some minor tweaks to smooth out possible issues causing jerky and jumpy playback, improving reporting when playback issues occur, some UI tweaks to account for overscan and in-app signup for new users. We didn't notice any major differences when we gave it a test run today, but if you've been experiencing issues let us know if things are any better now in the comments.
Hulu for Android coming soon, destined for 'select' phones with Android 2.2?
Since the dawn of Flash on Android -- yes, that was just ten months ago -- Google smartphone users been largely unable to access their favorite Hulu programs on the go. At CES 2011, we heard that Hulu would indeed come to Android, but not when or where. Today, we're a step closer to the answer. An eagle-eyed Engadget reader spotted this image at the company's website, depicting a most unusual combo: an image of a Samsung Nexus S (which comes with Android 2.3) and a suggestion that Hulu Plus will soon be available on a subset of devices running Android 2.2. We can't say which devices quite yet, but we've heard this tune before, and suspect Hulu will only run on phones that have DRM baked into their hardware. Now how about that Google TV? [Thanks, Raymond D.]
Hulu Plus on TiVo apparently being tested, live streaming to iPad apparently being considered
So, an update. Er, a refresher if you will. Back in September of last year, TiVo announced that ingrained Hulu Plus access would be coming to its DVRs "in the coming months," but we've heard precisely nothing on the matter ever since. Enter the present. We've got a tipster who owns a TiVo Premiere and was just invited to join a Field Trial to "test Hulu Plus on TiVo," and he's also receiving codes to receive a free month of service. It's hard to say what kind of gap we're looking at between the testing period and the go-live period, but at least we've got a little assurance that no one simply forgot about their promise. In related news, other tipsters are starting to receive some fairly interesting surveys from TiVo itself, with a few questions in particular asking consumers how they'd feel about the option to "stream live TV, DVR recordings and TV shows from a cable company's On Demand library to one's iPad." This seemingly includes in-home and remote streaming, and we have to say -- streaming to the tablet just might be the magic feature that finally gets TiVo out of the hurt locker. Probably not, but are you really going to judge us for being blindly optimistic? %Gallery-118660%
Clicker.com analyzes Amazon Prime Instant Video offerings vs the competition
Amazon's Prime Instant Video service is finally here, and while we know how it works and that, unlike Netflix, it will play nicely with your 'Droid, how does its content measure up? Clicker.com pulls in feeds from all the online video sites and has broken down its data into this handy chart to investigate just that. The numbers above don't lie, Netflix has far more content at the moment, and right now, the Amazon service compares more directly to Hulu Plus than anything else. However, it is an excellent start for Amazon to grow from and the breakdown points out what numbers might miss -- while Amazon's movie selections are hurting for any high profile flicks not already on Netflix, it does bring some otherwise unavailable episodes of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Bonanza and Dr. Who (1963) to bear -- click through for all the details, while it may not be enough to cause you to switch just yet there's definitely enough reason to keep an eye on this latest entrant to the market.
Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart
According to Company Town, Redbox prez Mitch Lowe informed analysts yesterday that its upcoming online movie service would be subscription-based like Netflix and Hulu Plus instead of charging per-movie like iTunes, Zune or Amazon VOD (we can guess why.) Users would pay the monthly fee to stream to various devices (perhaps to the new iPhone and Android apps) and access discs at the kiosks. Lowe mentioned Redbox would have a partner in the service and while previous rumors pointed to CinemaNow, the Seattle Times suggests Walmart / Vudu and Amazon -- rumored to be launching a subscription service of its own this month -- as possibilities. Meanwhile, in its existing disc based business, word is Disney has decided to raise the amount it charges Netflix and Redbox for each DVD to the full wholesale price, although they'll still be available the same day the DVDs go on sale.
Criterion Collection now streaming on Hulu Plus, maybe Sanjuro and Hanbei will settle differences (update: Netflix and Hulu won't)
Hulu Plus just got a whole lot more appealing for cinephiles. The streaming service just rolled out 150 properties from the Criterion Collection, perhaps the premiere pusher of amazing films, with that number expected to top 800 in "the coming months." It'll include the regulars, like plenty of offerings by Kurosawa, along with some films "so rare that they have never been seen in the U.S. in any medium." Indeed this deal is available only in America, so we'll send our apologies to our friendly neighbors to the north, but you're certainly welcome to come on down on movie night. Just bring some popcorn. Naturally the quality here won't match a Blu-ray and we're guessing the usually epic Criterion special features won't be streaming, but you can't have everything for $7.99 a month. Update: We got a note from Hulu indicating that, yes indeed, special features will be here too. Director commentary, deleted scenes, and lots of other bonus goodies will be coming to the mix. Maybe there'll be something in there explaining the deep, hidden meanings of Sans Soleil. Oh, and it's an exclusive deal, which is a bummer for Netflixers. Update 2: Netflix is losing out in more ways than one: "All of the films that are currently on Netflix streaming will be down by the end of the year," reads a somewhat bitter Criterion Collection post on Facebook. Criterion will continue to ship Netflix discs, but we all know that Netflix doesn't care about those so much anymore. [Thanks, Dan]
