CRITERION TELLS CHUD ABOUT THE NETFLIX-TO-HULU SHIFT

That sucks, sort of. I mean I really don't want another subscription service. On the other hand, it sounds like Hulu is treating Criterion like they deserve and having full access to their catalog is kind of mind blowing. Really wish they could have made this happen on Netflix-Instant, though.

Reading the message on Hulu's website is interesting, especially in regards to posting supplementary features from each disc, commentaries, etc. Looks like they already have HAUSU live.

Yeah, dunno how this isn't awesome. It's another fee, but a profoundly better presentation and selection. Also- competition! Hulu needs to keep rocking and rolling so Netflix doesn't get lazy (as they seem to have been in the last year or so).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renn Brown 

Yeah, dunno how this isn't awesome. It's another fee, but a profoundly better presentation and selection. Also- competition! Hulu needs to keep rocking and rolling so Netflix doesn't get lazy (as they seem to have been in the last year or so).

Yeah I was initially bummed out but I'm starting to come around to this.  $8 for access to 800 of the world's greatest movies?  And it's not like Criterion is just done releasing films - that library is gonna grow over the years and we'll have it ALL right there.

My biggest complaint was the lack of a Hulu app for the 360 but apparently that's getting fixed this Spring and PS3 users already have a Hulu+ app, so they're all set.

On the one hand: nice because Criterion deserves proper presentation/respect. Also competition is good.

On the other hand: god fucking damnit. MORE subscription fees. Couldn't you have just ponied up for them, Netflix?

The other thing too is, for a Criterion-worthy film, I go with the physical Blu Ray option from Netflix every single time because I'm not going to sacrifice any quality. The only ones I really watch streaming are the ones that are only available on DVD anyway. So in a sense, I guess this won't be worth it to me unless Criterion starts yanking physical discs from Netflix. Which will be a HUGE issue for me because in most cases I'd rather just rent the Blu Ray from Netflix.

Too bad, on netflix I don't have to watch ads while paying for a subscription.

Hulu+ has ads?  Wouldn't the prospect of no ads be one of the perks of paying for a subscription service?

This fucks up a lot of shit for me. A lot of shit. I didn't think it was possible to be mad at Criterion, but I'm almost there. Hopefully they're getting major bucks out of this, which will be funnelled towards amazing future releases. I'm certainly not going to pay 7.99 to watch streaming Criterions (with commercials, apparently?) that I can get via disc from Netflix or my library.

I wish the little pricks well.

Looks like I've got a lot of Criterion movies to see on Instant before the end of the year.

If you go to the press release on the criterion website, it says that all the commercials will be upfront before the movie starts, so there won't be any commercial breaks. Fortunately for me I literally just got Hulu Plus so I can watch Miami Vice on my ps3, so this serves as justification of my decision. Plus I love the idea of a criterion channel, which is something that Netflix instant sorely lacks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) 

Looks like I've got a lot of Criterion movies to see on Instant before the end of the year.

Yeah no kidding. 

I think this is fantastic. Full access to their catalog plus even more films, no commercials, HD, even some supplementals, all for $8. I'll be signing up.

And I've had too many bad experiences with streaming Criterion films on Netflix anyway. I get all settled in front of my screen, ready to watch something like Charade, only to find out it's a full-screen, public domain version. Maybe it's Criterion's fault but either way it's disappointing.

I tried Hulu + for a couple months and the presence of ads was a deal breaker for me and landing Criterion isn't gonna change that.  I hope this spurs Netflix to work on their searches, cuz it is indeed lame to rely on third-party sites to take up that slack.

As much as I love the service I have to say that ever since they started announcing delayed release schedules and thoughts about going streaming only I have to say that Netflix appears to have

I can understand them not putting effort into the negotiations because they don't really seem to have the bandwidth/presentation down for something as quality as Criterion but for me this sounds a death knell for Netflix within a few years.  They seem to be going the way of Blockbuster and completely ignoring innovation that would keep them on top.

Yeah, you can't fault Criterion's logic here.  I'm getting incredibly frustrated with Netflix' streaming service.  I know new movies are being added.  So why in the hell do I have to look at the same movies in "New Arrivals" for weeks and weeks on time?  I wish there were actual options that would allow me to say "Don't just show me the pandering shit you think I might want to see.  Show me everything you're adding, so I can make a decision what I want to watch, thank you very much."

/rant

I'm with joeypants on the criterion thing. I will always choose the physical bluray over streaming for these movies so this affects me little at the moment.

I also wanted to add to what Shunderson said.  Netflix does everything they can to obscure what new movies they're adding, to both instant and on disc.  I know why they do it, but I don't like it.

Whoa, whoa, WHAT?! Hulu+ has fucking ADS?! Oh man. Motherfuck you then, Hulu+. I was considering looking into you at one point. Laughable, man.

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Originally Posted by joeypants 

Whoa, whoa, WHAT?! Hulu+ has fucking ADS?! Oh man. Motherfuck you then, Hulu+. I was considering looking into you at one point. Laughable, man.

...a thirty-second pre-roll spot that plays before the movie while the movie itself plays uninterrupted?  Really?

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Originally Posted by JGButler 

...a thirty-second pre-roll spot that plays before the movie while the movie itself plays uninterrupted?  Really?

Yeah but netflix has NO ads and people on here are saying the move is a good thing. It's not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGButler 

...a thirty-second pre-roll spot that plays before the movie while the movie itself plays uninterrupted?  Really?

That's right. I take a pretty hard-line stance on advertising like that when I'm paying for a service. I disconnected my cable 8 years ago to get away from the din of obnoxious ads.

Also I'm curious, are they NORMALLY ads during movies on Hulu+? The wording makes it sound like that's normally the case.

The only really bad thing I can say about Instant is the already mentioned poor search function. I use the Instant Watcher App for my iPhone most of the time to search for and add movies to my Instant List. There's about 2 other sites that I have bookmarked that I use for checking out upcoming movies. Other than that, I'm all for Netflix.

The other problem is I use my (girlfriend's) Wii to watch Netflix Instant. I have a lot of trouble watching stuff on my laptop (too distracting, screen too small) and there's no Hulu on Wii.

Luckily I live in a place with an amazing library. We have pretty much every in-print Criterion, and they're only a dollar to rent. So please, stop worrying about me, I'll be fine.

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Originally Posted by Alex Augustine 

Yeah but netflix has NO ads and people on here are saying the move is a good thing. It's not.

At WORST it's an inconvenience since we're all currently Netflix subscribers, but even so, Netflix didn't even have the COMPLETE Criterion Collection - just a smattering (albeit a large one) of their titles.  And as long as 1) the ads don't interrupt the movies (which they don't) and 2) the pre-rolls aren't obnoxiously time-filling (which, apparently, they're not), then *jerkoff gesture*.  It doesn't really bother me.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeypants 

That's right. I take a pretty hard-line stance on advertising like that when I'm paying for a service. I disconnected my cable 8 years ago to get away from the din of obnoxious ads.

 

Also I'm curious, are they NORMALLY ads during movies on Hulu+? The wording makes it sound like that's normally the case.

That's cool and all, but still, it seems really weird to me to take such a hard-line stance on that, especially when you take into account the cost-to-benefit ratio of this particular situation.  A 30-second commercial is harmless (and necessary!).  But, I suppose, if it's enough to keep you away then that's one less dude eating up the bandwidth for me when I try to watch, hahaha.

Yeah, but I'm not paying 7.99 a month for a Criterion Instant service. There's other stuff on Hulu+ that's supposed to make it worth my while. I mean, I LOVE Criterion (anyone who doesn't should probably just be banned from the boards, ha). But I'm not paying that money solely to have instant access to every Criterion title. That's me.

Now I'd CONSIDER it due to all the other stuff I could watch through Hulu+ (TV shows, etc.) But NOT if they're going to have fucking commercials before, during, after or whenever. That (for me and many others) was the initial beauty in all of this switching over to the internet stuff. ESPECIALLY during a fucking show. I don't want to be watching television all over again.

Yeah, a 30 second ad before a movie isn't the end of the world. It's the fact that apparently (correct me if I'm wrong) there is ANYTHING bundled in that service that gets interrupted by an ad that just puts me way off. And I think it should. That's obnoxious and against a lot of the impetus behind moving away from traditional cable TV. If there's ONE thing people have voiced, it's that they don't fucking want ads interrupting their entertainment. They get TiVo to skip them, or go online altogether or with Netflix to cut them out completely.

Also, why exactly is a 30 second commercial "necessary?" I mean, other than "because Hulu says so because they want $$$," then no, it's not necessary. (ETA: Although I get that the fact of showing TV series that are currently airing is different than Netflix's model. In case you can't tell, I just really, REALLY hate ads.)

ETAx2: I hope you'll understand that my tone and (excessive?) use of "fucks" aren't directed at you, Justin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeypants 

Yeah, but I'm not paying 7.99 a month for a Criterion Instant service. There's other stuff on Hulu+ that's supposed to make it worth my while. I mean, I LOVE Criterion (anyone who doesn't should probably just be banned from the boards, ha). But I'm not paying that money solely to have instant access to every Criterion title. That's me.

 

Now I'd CONSIDER it due to all the other stuff I could watch through Hulu+ (TV shows, etc.) But NOT if they're going to have fucking commercials before, during, after or whenever. That (for me and many others) was the initial beauty in all of this switching over to the internet stuff. ESPECIALLY during a fucking show. I don't want to be watching television all over again.

 

Yeah, a 30 second ad before a movie isn't the end of the world. It's the fact that apparently (correct me if I'm wrong) there is ANYTHING bundled in that service that gets interrupted by an ad that just puts me way off. And I think it should. That's obnoxious and against a lot of the impetus behind moving away from traditional cable TV. If there's ONE thing people have voiced, it's that they don't fucking want ads interrupting their entertainment. They get TiVo to skip them, or go online altogether or with Netflix to cut them out completely.

 

Also, why exactly is a 30 second commercial "necessary?" I mean, other than "because Hulu says so because they want $$$," then no, it's not necessary. (ETA: Although I get that the fact of showing TV series that are currently airing is different than Netflix's model. In case you can't tell, I just really, REALLY hate ads.)

 

 

ETAx2: I hope you'll understand that my tone and (excessive?) use of "fucks" aren't directed at you, Justin.

My name's Jeremy, but tomato-tomahto.

And that's all well and fine - I don't begrudge you any of that, I just don't particularly get it.  Especially if the ads aren't going to be interrupting and instead play before.

BUT - as far as why ads are necessary - ads pay for what you use, like it or not.  Netflix took the long way around and used their DVD-rental side as a way to make the startup money for the streaming stuff, but not everybody has it like that.  It's not necessarily a matter of "really wanting $$$" it's a matter of making sure they have all the resources available to continue to grow their services.  Nabbing the Complete Criterion is a HUGE boost for them, but it probably cost a metric fuckton of money (Criterion's rightfully proud of their library), where's that money gonna come from?  You can say "Subscripton fees!"  And okay, that's fair, but their Plus service is still relatively new and doesn't have that much of a market share, so they have to bolster.  Maybe it's my years of working in TV and knowing that if we didn't sell the ad spots then we didn't get a paycheck (sorta, that's obviously a bit hyperbolic), but yes - believe it or not, ads are necessary, simply because Hulu doesn't have another revenue stream to fall back on.

Yeah, for myself, having ads negates the whole idea of paying a fee, especially when their competitor offers no ads. I'm happier keeping the cash and renting the discs from Netflix.

Hulu+ sucks. Even to join their beta you had to pay. I did a trial and didn't get the point of the service. They have limited TV shows, and they don't even show them the same day their air.

They also pretty much show most of what is on the free version, plus it has ads.

This sucks, but Hulu+ has a long way to justify itself in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGButler 

 

My name's Jeremy, but tomato-tomahto.

 

And that's all well and fine - I don't begrudge you any of that, I just don't particularly get it.  Especially if the ads aren't going to be interrupting and instead play before.

 

BUT - as far as why ads are necessary - ads pay for what you use, like it or not.  Netflix took the long way around and used their DVD-rental side as a way to make the startup money for the streaming stuff, but not everybody has it like that.  It's not necessarily a matter of "really wanting $$$" it's a matter of making sure they have all the resources available to continue to grow their services.  Nabbing the Complete Criterion is a HUGE boost for them, but it probably cost a metric fuckton of money (Criterion's rightfully proud of their library), where's that money gonna come from?  You can say "Subscripton fees!"  And okay, that's fair, but their Plus service is still relatively new and doesn't have that much of a market share, so they have to bolster.  Maybe it's my years of working in TV and knowing that if we didn't sell the ad spots then we didn't get a paycheck (sorta, that's obviously a bit hyperbolic), but yes - believe it or not, ads are necessary, simply because Hulu doesn't have another revenue stream to fall back on.

Oops. Sorry, JEREMY.

I'll plead temporary ignorance on Hulu's business model. I've since read up on it and yeah, I see where they're coming from. MAINLY due to the fact that unlike Netflix, they carry things that are on TV right NOW. So it's a little more like supplanting cable TV with something else.

As for the "weirdness," allow me to explain why I, personally, am so incredibly turned off. I fucking HATE ads, generally. Sure the odd Old-Spice ad might be funny for a bit. But the beauty of this day and age to me is that I can go to youtube and see this hilarious new ad that's the talk of the water cooler. Whether you know it or not (and I'm sure you do), advertising isn't something that just passes in one ear and out the other. Like it or not, that shit gets in your head. And I don't like Don Drapers tickling my brain uninvited. It colors my experiences in a way that I don't particularly like. Sometimes they make me fucking angry (i.e. horrible jingles, products pushing things/ideas I can't stand, etc. etc.) I can't tell you how HUGE and amazing a difference in my general thought process/disposition I experience when I unplugged from the "idiot box" 8 years ago and thus, was hit with significantly less unwanted advertising on a daily basis. It really was incredibly eye opening and important to me.

So... I don't care for that experience at the worst of times. That goes double if I'm about to consume a fine piece of art. Which, we can all agree, a Criterion labeled film fits that description with big honking capital "A." It sounds all new-age hippy, but there's truth to it: if I'm sitting down to watch a film like that I want my mind fully open and receptive. And in that little window just before I don't want to be bombarded with a fucking advertisement for Axe Body Wash or whatever the fuck piece of consumerism they're trying to force down my throat that instant. I want peace, quiet, or at worst (if you just HAVE to shill something) a trailer (i.e. Ad) for another film/work of art.

I don't want my initial introduction to Walkabout to be colored by the fucking Allstate ad I just watched. But again, that's me. Some people are conditioned/willing/lucky enough to be unaffected by ads consciously (we're all, of course, affected unconsciously). I'm not. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Except for product placement.

THEY'RE COMING TO GET YOU, JOEY.

I know, I know. I sound like a freak. And I probably am in this regard (and many others).

I try to avoid it when possible. Obviously in our culture it's impossible, but every little bit helps. Plus it's the fact that the "ads" in question are like little movies themselves. They feature audio and visual bombardment. A print ad is easily dismissed as is a can of Coke showing up onscreen in a film. It has an affect, sure, but not the same one as me watching a fucking Geico ad for the Nth time.

I'm sympathetic to your cause, if not onboard with your tactics. I'd never be able to wait for the Community DVDs to release to see them for the first time. And with OnDemand and DVR, avoiding ads on cable has never been easier. 

I get you Joey.  Everyone has their line.  And it doesn't even have to be consistent.  For me, it's the forced trailers and ads that come on DVDs and blu-rays.  The level of passion you have about ads is similar to my disdain for the practice.  It's one of the reasons I love Netflix Instant.

I am actually considering Hulu+ for the Criterion selection.  A 30 second ad just at the beginning of a 2 hour movie is acceptable to me.  What bugs me is a 30 second ad for an online clip that's barely much longer.  Youtube's been pretty annoying about that with certain videos. 

Yes yes... NOW NOW NOW GODDAMNIT!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll 

I'm sympathetic to your cause, if not onboard with your tactics. I'd never be able to wait for the Community DVDs to release to see them for the first time. And with OnDemand and DVR, avoiding ads on cable has never been easier. 

See, I have no problem being patient. I learned this when I gave up cable when I did, back when there were no real online options. It was simply: wait until it hits disc. Likewise, I understand the inability to do this for some. I just try to concentrate on the insane backlog of classic films/shows I haven't yet seen to kill the time until things like Boardwalk Empire, Bored to Death, (insert my or your other favorite shows here) finally hit disc form.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll Luckily I live in a place with an amazing library. We have pretty much every in-print Criterion, and they're only a dollar to rent. So please, stop worrying about me, I'll be fine.

Wait, your library charges rental fees??? Forget hulu and their ads for a sec... What's going on here???
 

Don't you dare make me appreciate my library less, Darkmite. Don't even try it. Goddammit.

Yeah, one dollar for two weeks. All boxed sets, TV seasons, etc. are also a single dollar (I've actually seen libraries split up TV Shows by disc, a la Blockbuster). Non-fiction and musicals are free.

I think that's totally fair.  The way I used to check out from the library, I racked up a ton of late fees anyway.  If it all goes to support the public library, it sounds like a good deal to me.  My library used to bundle entire seasons of show together as well, until they started to split them up.  

Yeah, I was never going to be able to finish an entire season of The Sopranos in a week...

I don't get why musicals are free though.  Unless you're simply talking about filmed stage musicals...

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Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

I don't get why musicals are free though.  Unless you're simply talking about filmed stage musicals...

It's a Dewey Decimal loophole that makes musicals non-fiction, or something of that nature. Maybe Dewey was a Wall-E, and no one had the heart to tell him his favorite movie was for pretend. 

Some interesting titles slip into that loophole, though, by having minimal amounts of musical performances or stage time. Chappelle's Show is aparently non-fiction, but not SNL.

So weird... but hey, if it makes musicals free to check out, why not?

Duh. It's because musicals are kinda gay.

Would it make more sense to charge for it then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll 

Except for product placement.

 

THEY'RE COMING TO GET YOU, JOEY.

It's not as funny, but since you did it in the other thread, I can't resist:

Aww dammit, I just realized that the little Hulu logo on the bottom left of the screen does not go away, even on hulu plus. I mean, that's an ad right there, so for them to say there are no ads during a film is kind of bullshit. I was really looking forward to having such a huge selection of great films to choose from and I guess I now I have to decide if I have to compromise a bit for that availability.

Wait, so there's a fucking Hulu logo on a Criterion film the entire running time? That actually is unforgivable. 

Has anyone actually watched a Criterion film on Hulu+ yet?  Knowing Criterion's standards I'd be surprised if they let something like that fly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas 

Aww dammit, I just realized that the little Hulu logo on the bottom left of the screen does not go away, even on hulu plus. I mean, that's an ad right there, so for them to say there are no ads during a film is kind of bullshit. I was really looking forward to having such a huge selection of great films to choose from and I guess I now I have to decide if I have to compromise a bit for that availability.

You read this somewhere or you just tried it out?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica 

Quote:

You read this somewhere or you just tried it out?

I read this on a couple Criterion-focused blogs and forums, tried out the previews Hulu has for their payed service, and this has been true for their regular free movies. I checked this out on my computer. I don't know if it holds true when viewing through my Blu-ray player.

I really hope I'm wrong somehow on this. It really sticks out when watching an older, Academy ratio or black-and-white movie.

After further research, fuck Hulu Plus right in its ass. Maybe not in a Criterion film, but they have ads DURING their other movies. How any fan of the artform can champion paying for shit like that is beyond me.