We’re not going to see Hulu on the iPad. Here’s why:
There are only 2 options here. The first is streaming free television content to the iPad with commercials. The second is a paid all you can view rental model. Let’s look at each.
Hulu licenses “free” content (which it still can’t afford) at a greatly reduced price because it has convinced content owners that a computer view isn’t worth as much as a television view. How else can you explain each episode reminding us when to watch the show on tv, the Boxee battles, and the Hulu desktop app with a eula that forbids connecting the device to a tv?
The iPad is too close to the television for Hulu to be able to convince rights owners that the content is one of those lower value computer views. The cost to license the stuff for what it is too much of a loss delta even for Hulu.
What about a paid Hulu model for the iPad?
First of all, the majority of users have said they won’t pay for Hulu. This needs to be taken into consideration. However, even more important is the reality that Jobs hasn’t been able to convince television to support his all you can eat ideas (and, remember Jobs actually makes a profit with his plans). Why does anyone think Hulu will have any better success?
Hulu on the iPad scares television too much for it to become a viable reality.
Thoughts / comments?
