Hasta La Gadget!

Apple may be calling the Apple TV a hobby, but there’s no doubt that the minature streaming media box has garnered some attention from various content providers. Netflix has been available on the Apple TV for some time, but Hulu has been noticeably missing. It looks it won’t be missing any more, as multiple users have taken to Twitter to show off the new Hulu Plus app that has been pushed out to Apple TVs across the United States.

Apple reportedly began rolling out the app this morning, although users may need to reboot their Apple TV before they see the app appear. The app seems to work as advertised, streaming television shows from networks such as Fox and NBC as long as you subscribe to the Plus service, which currently costs $7.99 a month.

Hulu Plus has been available on a multitude of hardware devices for some time, including consoles, and users also have the option of streaming shows through their web browser. The app finally arriving on the Apple TV makes for a compelling argument for the little streamer given its $99 price. Combine Hulu Plus with a Netflix subscription and Apple’s own access to paid movies and TV shows, and suddenly you have an inexpensive and practical way to cut the cord.

Users are also reporting that Hulu Plus can be billed straight to an Apple iTunes account. New users will be able to sign up directly from the Apple TV and given a week’s free trial, and after that they’ll be charged $7.99 a month to access Hulu’s library of TV shows.

[via MacRumors]

Hulu Plus lands on Apple TV is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We haven’t seen any official information yet, but tipsters report and we’ve confirmed on our own that Hulu Plus is quietly rolling out to Apple TV set-top boxes this morning. It was on our hockey pucks when we turned them on, while reports on Twitter indicate losing the connection before the icon appeared once the box came back online. We’re checking it out now, and like Netflix, it allows users to pay for the service via iTunes if they choose. The menus and UI are all appropriately Apple TV styled, if you’re not seeing it yet on your box then it should probably be there after a reboot. Otherwise it’s the same old Hulu Plus, just (finally) on Apple TV without any hacks or redirects needed, any new users can snag a 1 week free trial by signing up on the website or through the device itself.

Update: We have official confirmation now, check the Hulu Blog for more information, or after the break for two quick demo videos.

[Thanks, Rune]

Continue reading Hulu Plus app live on Apple TV

Hulu Plus app live on Apple TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulu has updated its streaming video player to allow for a cleaner look, a more user-friendly layout of buttons and controls, and even a new feature or two thrown in to prove to users that it is constantly working to provide the best experience possible. This is one of several major upgrades to the Hulu Web player, while rival Netflix has been focusing much stronger on its presence on non-computer devices.

The new version of the Hulu Web-based video player is more compact, and it streamlines controls like pop-out and closed captioning so they are combined into one menu. In addition, the player now automatically selects your video quality for you, based on the available bandwidth of your Internet connection. The biggest new feature, though, is the 10-second rewind button that allows players to basically have an “instant replay” option at their fingertips.

It is true that Hulu has more of its viewership coming from computers on Hulu.com than Netflix has from Netflix.com, but both obviously rely on getting their content out to as many users through as many devices as possible. Hulu doesn’t exist on as many products – for example, it still isn’t available on Google TV – but clearly it is working hard to make it as strong a competitor as possible.

[via Mashable]

Hulu new video player launches is written by Mark Raby & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Not too long after announcing that it secured the American rights to a popular Israeli drama, Hulu has now partnered up with the BBC to bridge the Atlantic Ocean and bring the UK comedy The Thick of It to American shores as well. The difference with this latest deal, though, is that Hulu will actually help with the production of the show. According to the official details, season four of The Thick of It is still produced by the BBC, but now it carries the footnote “in association with Hulu.”

This is the video streaming company’s first ever international co-production arrangement. The show will continue to air as normal on BBC Four in the UK, but stateside it will air exclusively on Hulu, both for regular subscribers as well as premium Hulu Plus members. The show was created and is written by Armando Iannucci, whose most recent credit is the HBO series Veep starring Julia Louis Dreyfus.

“We’re really excited to give U.S. audiences a chance to catch up with all previous episodes, and as series co-producers for season four, we are proud to make full seasons of this distinctive and smart show available exclusively to Hulu viewers,” said Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell. This comes just days after Hulu announced that it will air episodes from the Israeli series Prisoners of War, which is the site’s first exclusive non-English series.

[via paidContent]

Hulu expands international wings, deals with BBC is written by Mark Raby & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you missed Larry King Live on CNN, you’ll be pleased to know that the king of talk shows will now be back – this time in the form of an online show on Hulu. Called Larry King Now, it will feature him doing what he does best – interviewing people. Already online on Hulu.com, the first episode has Larry King interviewing Seth MacFarlane – the creator of Family Guy and American Dad. This 30-minute talk show will air four times a week from Monday to Tuesday, and other guests expected this week are Meghan McCain and Matthew McConaughey.

I haven’t checked out the first episode myself, but I’m guessing it’s going to appeal to fans of his talk shows and his style of questioning. If you’re interested in checking out Larry King Now, just head over to Hulu’s website (for folks in the US only).

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Full Hulu Access To Require a Cable Contract Soon?, Hulu advances with Gay and Lesbian Genre,