On the Hulu App: Subscription-based Business Model Sucks!

Okay, ever since the first reviews of the Apple iPad started hitting the Web, the rumors of a Hulu app started getting stronger and stronger. Which is cool, Hulu is definitely a must-have for any decent browsing experience. That of course, along with YouTube. So, it seems as if we're getting a Hulu app!

... but not so quick. There's a catch. - the app will probably revolve around a subscription-based business model. Fail, I know.

Now, there are a million reasons of why that model is wrong for this. But, I'll just say the 3 points that I think make all the difference:

1. I can watch the same videos I'm paying in my subscription for free from my other computers.
2. I don't think people will ditch so quick their notebooks, and make their iPad a primary computer. So, if I were an exec at Hulu, I'd be careful with my assumptions. If consumers feel they are not taking full benefits off of their investment and decide to instead stay watching online videos on their desktops and laptops as they have been for the last years, this will be a setback for Hulu.
3. It's the god-damned Internet! I mean, I don't expect everything to be free, but certainly a service that is already free. I'm sure a lot of people feel this way.

Of course, I'm just ranting without details on what the price might be, maybe it's an acceptable price. But I don't think I would pay for it, regardless of how cheap it is. I already have my subscription to CableTV and Premium Programming and I only use Hulu when I'm looking for something specific. I don't watch every TV show on my computer.

In my opinion, they should stick to their ads-based revenue system. It's been working so far, they've had earnings for the past three quarters, it's obviously a system that is working for them and their investors. A Hulu app, with the same spirit of their website is only a win-win situation, whereas a subscription-based one, I'm skeptical of its success.

But to our luck, there's one more day until the Apple iPad is officially released. This should give some time to Hulu execs to think this through.