Hulu Snubs the PS3

[Logan Westbrook]

Hulu Snubs the PS3

Hulu, the internet service that allows you to watch TV on your computer - as long as you live in the US - has blocked the viewing of its service on the PS3 web browser.

Living in the UK as I do, Hulu has largely passed me by, aside from the occasional video posted on a website or blog that I can't watch, but in the US, it's a much bigger deal. Owned jointly by Disney, Fox, NBC and a venture capital company you've never heard of, Hulu provides thousands of hours of ad-supported TV on demand, via the internet.

Not all the internet though. PS3 owners recently discovered that they could not access the service anymore, and while nothing is mentioned on the recently updated terms and conditions, a little experimenting by interested parties showed that the PS3 was being specifically blocked. This comes not long after Hulu started restricting the access to its service to just its own site and desktop player.

It seems like a very strange move, and I can't think of any good reason for it. Besides trying to beat piracy - which I would assume is part of Hulu's mission - by restricting how and where people can use a product simply doesn't work, just ask EA.

Source: Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5303207/that-hulu-that-your-ps3-wont-do]


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[Frank_Sinatra_]

Okay wow that is wired, although not that bad. Watching Hulu on the PS3 was really laggy. I'd rather just hook up my PC to my HDTV if I really wanted to watch Stargate on Hulu, but why do that when I can just go out and buy the seasons. Hold on...
*Buys Stargate SG-1, and Atlantis seasons*
Yep much better quality than Hulu provides, plus no commercials.

 

[unwesen]

http://labs.joost.com/blog/?p=70

'nuff said.

 

[Sparrow]

I would assume the reason may be with Microsoft's upcomming Hulu partnership. Then again, surely it would mean it would be blocked on the Wii internet too. But who knows?

 

[FloodOne]

hmmm... that's strange... but it doesn't matter to me, I just use MegaVideo.

 

[DamienHell]

ouch thats mean. Oh well, I'm not in America so Hulu is useless.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

I feel that SONY must be pissing people off behind the curtain some how. wouldn't surprise me considering their past PR moves.

 

[ckam]

I don't even use Hulu at all. So it's basically useless to me anyways.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Bit of a surprise as the BBC's iPlayer was updated to specially support the PS3 (The unofficial version was better though). I use th PS3's browser all the time; I'm posting this on it now.

 

[Ashbax]

Maybe hulu dont like ps3?

Anyway, although I envy people able to use hulu, I cant miss what I havent had, becuase I live in ireland.

 

[chimmers]

I would assume the reason may be with Microsoft's upcomming Hulu partnership. Then again, surely it would mean it would be blocked on the Wii internet too. But who knows?

If this is true (too lazy too google) then that makes a whole lot of sense. Looking at any partnerships or sponsorships shows that competitors are usually excluded from any kind of deals with their partner.
But, I personally don;t know of any ps3 owners who rely on their console for internet access. Most people that can afford a Ps3 can afford a laptop also, so internet access in their room is not much a problem.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

Sony seems to be getting snubbed by a lot of people recently

 

[Pendragon9]

Hulu better have a good reason for this. Really, this doesn't make sense in any light, unless the partnership with Microsoft thing is true.

Then it's Microsoft's fault again.

 

[Ka_huna]

I don't even use Hulu at all. So it's basically useless to me anyways.

^ This
VidZone is impressive btw

 

[j0z]

I watched hulu on my ps3 all the time, in fact, that is the only time I used it. So, I will never be using hulu again, even if I want to watch something on my pc.
Dumb move hulu
What purpose could this serve? I mean really, isn't more viewers regardless of source, better than a few viewers on only certain platforms.
Someone needs to create a hulu mirror site called PuSu3

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Sounds like Hulu's plot to take over the world doesn't involve the PS3. Sounds more like Sony's pulling some dick moves again, and people are getting fed up with dealing with their shit.

 

[j0z]

Someone needs to create a hulu mirror site called PuSu3

And then exclude everyone except PS3 owners, thereby going against what you already said about more viewers being better?

Or will it just serve the exact same purpose as Hulu?

EDIT: This doesn't really bother me because I don't have a PS3, and I only use Hulu occasionally.

Absolurely not, everyone can access it, even us evil, unfit ps3 owners. I read the T&C thing on hulu and it makes no mention of why we can't watch videos. I will now use only youtube and Joist (which have so thoughtfully provided a customized experience for us ps3 owners