Fox Makes Free Catch Up Viewers Wait For Shows
Fans used to watching shows such as Simposns or Bones on catch-up TV will soon get a nasty shock, the shows they are used to watching the next day after airing, will turn into eight long days.
Fox streams will take longer to come online
That is unless your a paying subscriber, then you can continue to watch next day. The decision by Fox means that starting August 15th, the Fox network will limit next day catch-up streaming to customers who pay for approved cable and satellite services.
The news will not be appreciated by both Fox online and Hulu fans, especially as another of Hulu’s partners, ABC, are considering doing the same thing.
Fox, who are owned by News Corp want to keep cable and satellite distributors happy. They currently do not like paying Fox for content that is also available free online the day after transmission.
Mike Hopkins, president for sales and marketing for Fox Networks, said that the change was about providing a product to “enhance the value of pay television to subscribers.”
Although Hulu makes money, retransmission rights with the big distributors make much more. An eight day delay will help address the situation and maintain the status quo. Although Fox have made encouraging noises, it is not known whether Hulu Plus, the subscription based service will still get content next day. But if not, expect a lot of disgruntled subscribers.
Hulu has both a free service and a paid service, Hulu Plus, that includes full seasons of many series. Hulu Plus, which costs $8 a month, has almost one million subscribers.
Fox have just signed a contract renewal to supply Hulu with content, although full details are not available, it would be fair to assume the eight day delay was included as part of the terms.
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