Hulu resumes blocking Boxee access
updated 02:45 pm EDT, Mon March 9, 2009
Hulu blocks Boxee RSS
TV streaming service Hulu is once again attempting to block access from the Boxee media browsing client, the latter company claims. After Boxee was initially forced to remove a dedicated Hulu component, the company developed a workaround in the form of an RSS reader that tapped into publicly-accessible feeds. Even this access is now being blocked, despite continued Hulu RSS compatibility with ordinary web browsers.
The latest version of the Boxee software now provides a status message, indicating whether or not Hulu can be viewed. While Hulu has not spoken publicly on the topic since the initial service disruption, it is thought that the company may be concerned about advertising revenue. Content providers receive less income from Internet advertising than TV, and may also be concerned about losing licensing deals with broadcasters.
back to downloading
03/09, 03:06pm (1 reply) reply
for me! now you get NO ad revenue at all.
cmoney
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Sep 2000
idiots
03/09, 03:35pm (1 reply) reply
people will just start downloading it. Media companies need to learn they cant control people and shape how people get there media.
Athens
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2003
Here here!!
03/09, 03:56pm reply
Apple TV replaced cable for me. Perfectly willing to watch ad supported shows via boxee on my TV. In fact I started watching shows I never did before since I could schedule them to when It was convenient for me without the whole DVR thing. Now Cable STILL get's squat. and Now the content owners get SQUAT. I still say it is the cable companies and not the content owners.
Sondjata
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Joined: Oct 2000
Mystery
03/09, 04:00pm reply
If you were an advertiser on Hulu, and you saw how hard Hulu works to reduce their viewing audience, would you not say something to the management? Isn't the idea to increase the viewing audience? Or is this some sort of new business model that I just do not understand?
aspooner
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
Meetings at Hulu...
03/09, 04:22pm reply
...must go something like this:
Exec A: "Damn this Boxee with their damn audience of early adopters. Damn them to h***!"
Exec B: "Yes! Damn them! How dare they try to consume our content in a convenient and easy manner that allows us to display advertising in the same manner as we already allow on our site. Damn, damn, damn!"
Exec A: "We must act...and act decisively!"
Exec B: "I propose we cut off access to this valuable audience of early adopters who are so feverishly trying to get our content via legitimate methods, and providing insightful feedback on both their preferred viewing interface and method of delivery. That way they'll be forced into illegal activities such as downloading from Torrent networks, at which point we'll be able to sue them and either lock them up, or collect fees!"
Exec A: "YES! YES! LOCKS AND FEES! LOCKS AND FEES!"
Both in unison: "LOCKS AND FEES! LOCKS AND FEES! LOCKS AND FEES!"
Mixotic
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Joined: Apr 2005