There has been a lot of speculation regarding the actual requirements needed to be able to use Hulu when it launches on the PS3. It had been thought that only subscribers to PlayStation Plus would be able to get in on the action – but it seems that this may not be the case.
Hulu has been contacted directly and have come back with the following statement;
“With the launch of Hulu Plus there have been many rumors started and we are trying our best to remedy the situation. Specifically to your question, the PlayStation Plus service is only a requirement during the preview period.
Once the preview period ends you should be able to download the Hulu Plus app but that will still require the Hulu Plus subscription.
Right now we are limiting the number of users but Hulu Plus will be launching to the public very soon so stay tuned!”
So it seems Plus users will gain access to a BETA version, before a full release to the public. Of course, there will still be a monthly subscription fee and you still have to live in America, but one thing at a time eh chaps?
Source: Reddit via PS3 Attitude
Bilbo_bobbins
this makes sense rather than having to pay twice for the application. Good news for PS3 users. Shame the UK don’t have it.
teflon
I don’t quite understand all the hooha about this. It’s quite logical that Sony and MS will be taking a cut of every user account that uses their platforms… No need for PSN plus there, and since I doubt it’d go through Sony’s servers, no actual cost to them either.
Good to see that there’s a beta/trial available to Plus users though. That should get a few more people signing up right there.
tonycawley
And why is that a good thing? As far as i’m concerned playstation plus is an absolute pointless rip off. The less users the better, if there is a small take up for plus, it might make sony think again and include some things in plus that would make it worth having.
Bilbo_bobbins
tonycrawley, I agree, I think Plus is pointless too, but any new application is always good for PS3 users, even if some don’t use it. I can’t see why people just don’t go online via a PC anyway.
tonycawley
Bilbo brobbins, i have no issue with new apps on ps3. What i do have issue with is playstation plus.
teflon
Why do you have an issue with PS+?
In it’s current form, it’s a rental service. The Auto-Downloads are somewhat pointless since if you play a game every day, then you’ll have to sit through it downloading a patch anyway, and it’s pushing demos at you.
If it’s not for you, it’s not for you, but for many it’s a great deal to get a shed load of content for a fraction of the price. So, how is that a rip off?
And anyway, PS+ has no bearing on Hulu. Did you read the article? PS+ allows you to get into a beta for Hulu and/or trial it once it’s a full release. Don’t buy PS+ and you don’t get the trial, but you can still happily use Hulu without it.
(My “That should get a few more people signing up” comment was aimed at Hulu getting more subscribers thanks to the PS+ demo, rather than the other way round.)
tonycawley
Yes i read the article, and i fully understood it. I thought you meant that access to hulu beta might get extra people signing up to plus. I have many issues with plus, the idea is good, and i’d love to subscribe, but there’s just not enough there to warrant the money. Littlebigplanet is an awful choice of game to give away at the start. It’s so old, everyone that ever wanted to play it has done. I actually think in the opposite way to you, in that i think the automatic downloads thing is good, though i see your point about playing every day. For people who only buy the good psn games, and who buy then when they’re brand new, the service is kinda pointless. If you’re happy to pay for whatever sony decide to put a price reduction on, regardless of age or quality, then you may get your money’s worth.
tonycawley
Oh, and demos and betas should be free anyway, and not only for a select few who pay for ps+
Kaminari
Good news for PS3 users indeed, but bad news for PS+ subscribers.
Apnomis
From what I’ve read briefly about this it seems the current system only lets you watch the last 3 episodes of the currently broadcast season of a show, whereas Hulu Plus apparently gives you access to entire seasons. So it’s not as if they’re making you pay for something you used to get free…
To be honest if a service like this launched in the UK that gave you access to entire seasons of your favourite shows on demand and was up-to-date with the latest episodes I’d probably cancel my current TV subscription in favour of it and just have Freeview…
theDAZBOMEGATRON
Absolutely, trouble is, they keep canceling my favourite TV shows.
1. Fringe
2. Eli Stone
3. Defying Gravity
4. Jericho – Cancelled long before the season 2 finale, but a fan petition got that reversed.
They cancel the good stuff and make us watch re-runs of Oprah instead.
Charmed_Fanatic
Thats good for USA people, another benefit for PS+ though!