Hulu Plus + Netflix = End Of Cable?

So far streaming Internet media and cable/satellite TV have complemented each other quite well. TV stations have even pushed you to their websites to get exclusive coverage and bonus content, but now it's starting to look like cable is starting to become the weak link in the content chain. Read on as I break down how Hulu Plus and Netflix are about to start rattling quite a few cages in the cable industry.

Hulu Plus

Just unveiled and currently available by invitation only, Hulu Plus is slowly becoming available to everyone who wants it, on many more platforms than just your home computer. The one thing holding many back so far is the price.

At $10 a month many are reluctant to sign up for this new service, especially considering it will still contain ads. Many people say they are trying to double dip with this approach but they must also remember cable charges several times more and has many more ads.

The regular version of Hulu will still be available free of charge, what Hulu Plus offers is more content. Right now Hulu helps you stay caught up showing you the most recent episodes of your favorite shows. Hulu Plus will give you entire seasons and entire series worth of episodes, with thousands of hours of content that would take months or years to catch on cable.

Now what makes Hulu Plus a possible cable killer is availability, the Internet, PS3, iPhone, iPad, and Internet enabled TV's, are just a few of the options for streaming this service. You can be just about anywhere with an Internet connection and have your favorite shows streamed to you. Also across all these devices it will know your bookmarks, where you left off and you can set up a queue.

Now all this sounds nice but there is some content Hulu and Hulu Plus doesn't provide, namely movies and that brings me to the other great alternative to cable/satellite service.

Netflix

Netflix has already helped cause DVD sales to decline (See:Why Buying DVD's Isn't Really Practical Anymore) and now combined with Hulu Plus looks to give cable TV a run for its money.

Netflix is only $9 a month for unlimited movie rentals, versus at least $10 per month per premium channel on cable/satellite and you can get new release movies faster than premium channels can as well.

Netflix is also very portable, you can get standard DVDs, movies streamed to your computer, iPhone (soon), iPad, Nintendo Wii and many other options. Netflix is very easy to use and you choose what you want to watch and when versus waiting for something to air on TV.

Netflix is a great service, and when combined with Hulu Plus service you have an almost complete package. But of there are things cable and satellite can do that these can't.

Cable & Satellite Service

Cable and satellite service has been around for a long time now and most households have some form of service. In recent years they even have started offering combined services that include cable, Internet and home phone service.

Cable/satellite service ranges in price from $25 to $200 a month depending on which provider and channels you choose. Almost everyone who has some form of service is unhappy with the price and there are few options to lower it. Many have asked for more "a la carte" options with channels since many you have no interest in whatsoever.

Of course that also is an upside to cable/satellite as well, with so many options there is always something on. If only that were true, with hundreds of channels you'd think you could find something to watch but many times there isn't. DVR service and TiVo offer options to record shows and watch them later but that too will cost extra.

Cable and satellite is most known for hidden fees, FCC fees, taxes, converter boxes, and even charging you for your remote control are just a few of the little fees tacked on to most bills. When you sign up for a $40 service and get a bill for $80 your definitely not thrilled, but for many there aren't any other options.

Overall

Overall Hulu Plus and Netflix provide some great options for consumers to either supplement their current TV service and in some cases replace it. Of course there are some things cable can do that others can't as of yet.

Sports is probably the biggest reason many will stick with cable/satellite, but unless you watch the NFL Network, Big Ten Network or ESPN you can get most sports on local channels with an antenna. Of course you can still go out to a sports bar as well to catch some events you'd otherwise miss but many people prefer the quiet of their own home and not a bunch of drunk people yelling (at least ones you don't know).

There are also those shows you may not be able to find on Hulu Plus, but then of course there are other options for that as well. Many network websites stream past episodes for free after they air and iTunes even sells downloads to shows you miss for a couple bucks a piece.

So in the end the choice is yours, spend about $20 a month to get streaming TV shows and movies wherever you are whenever you want or keep spending a lot more and be tied to that box that's attached to your TV. For now at least I think many will still be sticking with cable or satellite service due to familiarity and fear of the unknown but with this tough economy just know there are cheaper options. Next time your scrolling through you long list of channels on your on-screen guide just count how many you really watch, you may love having all these channels but you probably only watch about ten different channels regularly and all those shows you do watch are probably available on Hulu as well.

Also See

Technologies Cell Phones Have Made Obsolete

Why Landline Phones Just Aren't Practical Anymore

Why The Postal Service Isn't Really Practical Anymore

Why Buying Newspapers Isn't Really Practical Anymore

Why Plasma TVs Aren't Going Away...Yet

Why 3D TV Just Isn't Practical...Yet

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