When it comes to streaming media services for our TV shows, there seems to be two big contenders that come to mind: Hulu Plus and Netflix. While both have their own perks and strong points, we'd like to hear which service you guys prefer over the other. We've also included a few things to consider when choosing between the two, after the jump.
Here's a couple things you should consider when selecting the right streaming subscription service for you:
- Supported Devices: Netflix has had a head start here, but Hulu Plus isn't too far behind. You can take a look at the list of supported devices over at DigitalTrends for an idea of what devices support what. Winner: Netflix
- Advertising: Hulu Plus has ads while Netflix doesn't. Winner: Netflix
- Library: Since they have pretty much the same selection to choose from, you'll probably want to consider the fact that Hulu Plus gets their content far in advance compared to Netflix. So, when you're looking at media libraries, you're talking more of time of release rather than selection. However, there are a couple of shows that favor one side or the other in terms of availability. You can see this comparison chart by Hulu vs. Netflix comparison chart by Autistic Disdain to see which service caters to your taste in TV shows more. Winner: Hulu for current TV programs; Netflix overall
- Streaming Quality: We find Hulu Plus's video quality for 480p content much clearer than Netflix streaming. Maybe it's just us [Note: Netflix adjusts resolution according to speed of connection, so image clarity will vary]. Winner: Hulu
Check out more TV show comparisons over at the Hulu vs. Netflix comparison chart by Autistic Disdain.
For us, it almost feels like the two services are both competing at the time, but aren't. Hulu's name has been more of the free-to-play Internet TV name, backed by major networks and has more funding going towards their streaming platform. Meanwhile, Netflix offers a much broader selection, including both movies and TV shows with no ads, and has over 14 million current subscribers who probably won't be making the switch unless they have a really good reason to.
What do you guys prefer? Hulu Plus? Netflix? What kind of TV shows work better for either service? Do you think Hulu should do away with their ads to justify the $10 monthly subscription fee? Let us know below!
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hulu as ads - enough said
I see no point in hulu.com (or hell, DVR), especially with cable providers (Time Warner in NYC) having several On-Demand channels with varying content.
For example, I missed three weeks of Friday Night Lights this season. My wife and I were bummed, so we watched one on hulu.com, which meant one of us sitting in the desk chair, and another pulling over a dining room chair. Not exactly comfortable.
So then I discovered we had a Primetime On-Demand channel. Basically everything from the last five weeks on not only the networks, but most basic cable channels. On top of that, they have a few other that carry History Channels shows, BBC shows. And if you have HD, several of them are on our HD On-Demand channel.
Goodbye hulu.
@CKelley82
I don't mind ads so much. I use slacker.com for music. Has ads all the time. That doesn't bother me. I mean, the content has to be paid for somehow.
Hell, the shows on Primetime On-Demand have ads. Gotta pee sometime.
@Erik, yeah, I hear you but you don't see the point because you're not hulu's target.
For those of aren't willing to pay a at least $45/month to get 4 or 5 channels we want + 495 we don't want, and who already have a computer hooked up to the TV, the 9.99 Hulu plan is quite inticing.
Plus, satellite/cable providers need a little competition. ;)
@Erik,
If you hooked up your computer to your TV, you wouldn't have the problem of being uncomfortable.
i would think about hulu+ if it didn't have ads. If i am paying for it, the ads should be gone.
Plus, aren't these 2 very different genres. I could be wrong but isn't hulu for more current tv, and netflix is for older seasons as well as movies? If netflix would just add current tv, they would be the clear winner.
I live overseas and don't get this as an option. We are stuck with paying it through the nose with iTunes.
@!
True, but like I said, with all the On-Demand channels, I really don't have a need to hook up my computer to the TV (that and my computer is in another room).
@ryanprouty
Totally agree, Cable/Satellite providers do need competition. And hell, if hulu ever comes to the Xbox, then I have Netflix and hulu in one box and then we can ditch our cable and just buy True Blood as it goes.
I will say, though. Going cable-less sure kills the fun of catching a spontaneous Law & Order marathon on a rainy Sunday afternoon in the summer.
We don't have cable, but grab an excellent HD signal over the air that we record with a Myth DVR. That plus Netflix Watch Instantly is perfect for us. (The quality is superb with our connection.)
There's more television/movies between the two than we could ever watch, it costs less than $200/year and I don't have to give a dime to a cable/satellite company.
WIN.
Pay attention investors with some cash: Set up a cable operation where everything is ala carte. Let me pay for ONLY the channels I want. trust me, you will be filthy rich beyond your wildest dreams in a very few short years, as you will capture 99.99999% of all TVs in the SUA, maybe the WORLD!
USA - duh!
I say forget them all and go with megarelease (dot) net or icefilms (dot) info, but I didn't tell you that
I'm currently using both, huluplus so far isn't that great but I'm giving it another month before I decide if I want to cancel. Figure I'll get more use out of it when the fall season starts. Unfortunately so far it seems most of the shows I want to watch aren't all available on huluplus (top chef, louie, sons of anarchy, newsradio, ect.) If you want to watch fox prime time trainwreaks and terrible abc family dramas you're probably got more out of it than me.
They've got a month and if I don't see more content I like I'm going back to watching shows on illegal streaming sites, which is what I'm already doing for channels that don't offer their content on hulu or their own site.
Netflix streaming though currently out performs hulu for me, more content I'd rather see and as they keep adding more it gets much better.
Between the free version of Hulu for current programming (or network websites for stuff Hulu doesn't have) and Netflix for stuff on DVD, I don't really see the benefit of HuluPlus. If Hulu doesn't run it currently, almost everything comes out on DVD eventually and ends up available through Netflix. And now that Netflix will stream to my iPhone, I have everything I want without any need for HuluPlus at all.
Anyone use Megavideo?
megavideo is the internet explorer of the internet tv world.
We are doing both - Hulu Plus is good for folks that don't want to spend all of their spare time from Sept to May watching TV - you can spread it all out and watch more than the latest 5 episodes at your leisure. I think it has it plus and minuses like every other media outlet. Our internet bill plus Netflix and Hulu is significantly less than our cable or satellite bills were.
I am with Ansela 100% My last 3 places Comcast was the only option and with 1 HD cable box I paid over $70 a month after the ridiculous taxes and fees when I barely watched 4 or 5 channels a week.
I am very happy with the direction the internet is taking us as far as TV's concerned. These cable providers have been ripping us off for years. Ever try watching a sports program on Comcast with a LCD without HD? It looks like a youtube video.
Netflix is just awesome. 9.99 a month is worth it for just the unlimited access to the kids movies alone.
All I need now is ESPN and SPIKE to be live on the internet. Does anybody know if they are available and if so where?
I haven't tried Hulu. I've had no cable and no satellite for years, and don't miss them. I use local free channels and Netflix on my one and only (HD) TV, plus local DVD rentals. Even with this reduced access, it's far too seductive a time-killer. My husband has it on from dinner to bed time daily. Other than that, it's off.
Netflix for me. I quit Hulu when they limited shows to the last 5. I like watching a show's run from start to finish.
I watch a few shows on broadcast, and a few from cable channel websites. I get track & Field and Bike Racing from Universal Sports, which comes via broadcast under the local NBC channel. Hopefully other cable channels will start making use all the additional channel space on broadcast digital.
Having not had a tv for a few years, I used Hulu for all current seasons. I was ok with the commercials (except the trippy cat commercial). Now that I have a TV and netflix (love it so far for older seasons of shows I am catching up on). I am interested in hooking Hulu up to the tv so I can watch current seasons of my fave shows. How do I do that??
I recently re-upped my cable due to the fact that my computer broke down (and they were switching to all-digital signals, etc. Those with Comcast know the story).
Before that, I had been using Hulu Desktop as my primary TV viewer (that and a little piracy). It works GREAT. I watched the entirety of Doogie Howser, M.D. on Hulu, and discovered FlashForward on there. While I didn't have cable, it helped me keep up with the only cable shows I watched - Psych and Burn Notice. I really love that Hulu Desktop has a ticker in the corner that tells you how long the commercial's going to be. It's very handy.
I'll be moving soon, and it's a very tempting consideration to go down to the basic channels and Hulu again. As soon as History and Discovery join up with Hulu or Netflix, I'm behind it 100%.
In ditching our cable tv, my wife and I agonized over just this issue. We went with Netflix b/c we already had a netflix mail subscription, and also b/c we didn't want to have to get a whole new computer just to hook up to the TV (just a new blu-ray player). So far, Netflix streaming video quality is great, and I don't mind waiting a little bit for an entire season on Netflix (if i just can't wait, we watch stuff on our imac; incidentally, we have a couch in front of our computer). Also, they should be adding new content pretty soon as they signed a new deal with Viacom, Paramount Pictures, MGM Studios, United Artists, and Lionsgate Films.
Netflix ftw!!!
For those of us in a rural world, where from the air digital and cable aren't an option, hulu was a dream come true. Bummed about the addition of hulu+ ruining how much was new and free on hulu, but don't mind the ads (except that it is the same one over & over). Netflix would mean buying stuff...