Yes, PlayStation 3 gamers who are looking to watch streaming TV via the just-announced $10-a-month Hulu Plus service could have to register for paid PlayStation Plus memberships to tune in – but only in the course of the initial ” preview” period of the hot premium Hulu offering.
Unconfirmed reports last week had it that Sony’s recently launched PlayStation Plus service – which offers free games, early access to game demos and betas, and other ” exclusive” content to subscribers for $50 a year – can be required to access Hulu over the PS3.
On Tuesday, though, Hulu support reps were reportedly telling users that PlayStation Plus would only be required in the course of the current ” preview” (read: beta) period for Hulu Plus. (For its $10 monthly fee, Hulu Plus serves up an expanded library of streaming, ad-supported network TV shows plus access on mobile devices, HDTVs and game consoles just like the PS3.)
Sony wasn’t commenting on the tale last week, and that i got another ” no comment” from the Hulu press office Wednesday. But a source with knowledge of the problem (yep, one of these) tells me that the most recent word is correct: You’ll want to be a PlayStation Plus member to monitor Hulu for your PS3, but only in the course of the preview period, expected to last a couple of months.
After that, all PlayStation Network users gets Hulu Plus access at no additional charge.
(Update: A Hulu spokesperson officially confirmed the scoop later Wednesday.)
Of course, Hulu Plus itself will still cost you $10 a month. While quite a lot of recent TV episodes are still available at no cost streaming on Hulu’s website, you’ll wish to ante up to observe older episodes or to stream Hulu shows on mobile devices just like the iPad and iPhone, on game consoles comparable to the PS3 and the Xbox 360 (so they can get Hulu support early next year), and on Blu-ray decks and HDTVs from the likes of Samsung, Sony and Vizio.
Personally, I’m pleased to listen to that PS3 gamers will eventually get Hulu Plus access on their consoles without paying extra. It also implies that paid PlayStation Plus members shall be getting a few of the early access to beta content that they’d been promised.
That said, the question many were asking since Hulu Plus was first announced still lingers: Is access to streaming Hulu videos on devices just like the PS3 well worth $10 a month, especially for those of us (most of us, I’m guessing) who’ve hefty cable bills already?
• Reddit: Hulu Plus on PS3 won’t require PlayStation Plus (via Kotaku)
- Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.
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now to avoid the/any conflicts.
I Use Playon Which use to be Free to stream HULU and alot of other channels to the ps3 But alas now there trying to make money.
Right now I pay around 8 Bucks a Month for Netflix and Stream it from my Ps3 the problem is the selection for Instant Viewing is Terrible The only shows you find on Netflix are shows from 10 years ago, PlayStation Plus Is a Joke Other than a Few Discounts the PSN games are all crap once you have Warhawk, Wipeout and Battlefield 1943 thats about the best your going to get from the PSN store, the Psone classics aren't anything worth getting and Unless Playstation Plus adds Backwards Compatibility or something really cool Its Not worth it.
Another thing to add Is HULU makes me sick forever its been a free service, Thats what made customers come back, 10 a Month is completely ridiculous I could understand 10 bucks for 3 months but wow, If Playstation Plus has Free Hulu plus then i will pay Ps3 50 a year,
I just don't know anymore I almost just want to throw my ps3 out the window get a PC and just have an all in one media center it would be so much easier than all this money hungry corp crap
i was just curious to why most people would spend any money to watch hulu on their tv's through the playstation when you can hook most if not all laptops to a modern HDTV?
is this just for people that hook up their PS3's to an older tube?
is there something im missing or should i just continue to hook up my laptop to my tv for free? i watch netflix on my ps3 i just dont understand the benefit of watching hulu through the ps3 instead of the way i do it now
Hell no it's not worth $10 a month for ad-supported content. I think $10 a month even with no ads might be a tough sell.
yes I too am interested in knowing when HuluPlus will actually exist. What is the hold up. Hell the widget is available to instll on my samsung tv but no real service to use it with. Wierd.
Well I'm wondering when I'll actually be able to access Hulu Plus. I applied for the preview to get a form letter telling me I'll be contacted when a spot is available. I've already dumped my satellite services to save money $10/mo isn't that bad. I'm wondering if people like me who aren't using devices (just my computer) to hook up are going to be last on the list? Hardly seems right.
If Hulu Plus delivers on its promise of more episodes from your favorite tv shows, then Hulu plus is really more like an alternative to a cable bill for the minimal TV watcher. For those who watch many hours of TV, a cable plan is still neccessary.
I am a moderate TV watcher and actually catch all of my favorite shows on Hulu. This service allows me to dump my cable and go "all internet".