There's been a rumor going around that Hulu is up for sale. Those rumors say that Microsoft and Yahoo are certainly interested. And recently, word is that Google has also entered these talks. Now the best anyone can tell, these are all prelimanary and nothing is for sure, but I for one, am hoping that Google does indeed purchase Hulu. If you take a look at Google's current line-up, you can see where a service like Hulu will fit very nicely into what Google already has going on.
- Youtube! Recently Youtube has started to offer a rental movie service through Youtube, along with live events. Adding Hulu to the Youtube line up is a natural fit. The free stuff will use advertising and the plus stuff will be available there like it is on other platforms. Google is looking for professional content to add to youtube. Hulu fits that bill!
- Hulu! Not only do people use the service to watch content from ABC, NBC, and Fox, but people know the brand. They know what Hulu is all about! If Google buys Hulu, it can still exist just like it does now, but it can show up in places that it currently isn't. Like on Android devices with advertising! That is a win for Google because of all the advertising opportunities!
- Google TV is a great way to view streaming internet content from an HD TV! But when I purchased my Google TV, I was promised that content from Hulu was coming! Purchasing Hulu is one sure way to follow through on that promise. Yea, adding Honeycomb and the app market might improve the user experience but being able to watch streaming media such as Hulu would certainly make Google TV a more complete solution for streaming video to your television, and a better reason for Joe Consumer to purchase the box. Google recently purchased Sage TV. This is a TiVo competitor. Can you imagine what Google TV might look like with Hulu and Sage TV? Where would you store that content? Why Google's cloud, of course. It would always be available, regardless of the device!
Microsoft could certainly use the content from Hulu for it's Xbox platform, and also utilize it into it's Zune software. Zune devices have died off, but the software is alive and well in Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 products. Yahoo seems to be struggling and although I'm sure they would love to own and control Hulu, I don't see creative ways to utilize the service like I see with Google and to a lesser degree, Microsoft. You don't hear much talk about it, but Amazon might be another company that could really utilize Hulu's content. Amazon currently rents streaming movies to it's customers and the Hulu content would be a great way to quickly boost it's online offerings. Apple is one more company who could wed Hulu into it's iTunes service with lots of opportunty for advertising.
Whoever purchases Hulu has problems long term. Hulu negotiates deals for content from media corporations so just because it's available this season through this device, doesn't necessarily mean it will be there next season. I'm sure there are constant negotiations going down, and all it takes is for someone to want more, and someone else not willing to pay more. At the end of the day, everyone wants to make something so I'm feeling that this is less likely to happen, but still yet, is a real possibility. After all, Hulu is currently available today through your computer, Apple TV, Roku, Boxee, but not Google TV. If Google buys Hulu, not only can it put it in those places, but it's also in a position to mend it to it's existing media services.
I've made my case! Let's hear your thoughts!
Buds who Blog