Hulu Will Allow Free Viewing on Phones and Tablets This Summer

Hulu will allow non-subscribers to stream its content on mobile this summer.

Currently, the only way those without a Hulu subscription were able to watch its content was on their desktop. This morning at Hulu Upfront in New York, CEO Mike Hopkins announced that it would expand accessibility to mobile platforms. Instead of allowing just clips, viewers will be able to watch full episodes that are already available on desktop without having to pay anything. Access will come to Android first, with iOS getting the new feature later, along with a redesigned app.

Hopkins also mentioned that Hulu is still in talks with pay-TV providers to bring the service to cable boxes. No level of progress was specified by the company. Hulu Plus is $8/month and already offers programing across many platforms such a desktop, mobile, consoles and more. Netflix recently announced that it will raise the price of its subscription by $1 or $2. With just over 6 million subscribers, Hulu isn’t in the same ballpark as Netflix who has nearly 35 million in the US.

Also announced at the event were three new ad experiences. Ads are no doubt a hassle for some, so why not make the viewer’s experience better. The in-stream purchase unit is a new feature and first of its kind where users will be able to purchase the products being advertised straight from the app, with Pizza Hut being Hulu’s launch partner for it. Other initiatives from the company in the ad space includes cross-platform interactive ads and ads with 360 viewing on mobile.

What’s your streaming service of choice? Does this turn your eyes towards Hulu? Let us know in the comments below.

Via: The Verge
Source: Hulu