4 ms·

Interesting, the article doesn't really mention Google's motivation for the bid, but I'm guessing it would just be to lock down the rights to some of the media

Interesting, the article doesn't really mention Google's motivation for the bid, but I'm guessing it would just be to lock down the rights to some of the media associated with Hulu? If exclusivity was part of the deal, maybe their intention is to use that content to kick start the premium offerings on Youtube?

viscanti 15y ago
I don't think it's for a premium Youtube. I think it's to bolster their Google plus offering. Watching hulu shows live with friends across the world could be something to set them apart from Facebook. Right now Facebook's model is based on "sharing" what you've already done (I watched a show on Hulu). Google can one-up that by making it truly social (you're watching a show with your friends). It depends how committed they are to Google plus. If they want to give themselves a (another?) significant differentiator from other social networks, acquiring Hulu could do that.
- davorak 15y ago
  I would consider that a significant feature. Something that would hook many new users, a large hard to remove hook to boot.
- untog 15y ago
  They would be insane to buy a whole stack of premium video content and not tie it into YouTube at all. The idea of watching a TV show with someone on Google Plus strikes me as... kind of awful. Maybe that's just me.
  - viscanti 15y ago
    It's certainly not for everyone. One of the big selling points of google plus is being able to do things with friends. The goal seems to be to add an additional level of "social" to their social network. They're doing that through games and youtube video. Hulu video seems like a natural extension of that. It won't appeal to everyone (nothing does), but it will to some. Better sharing settings (through circles) and better social features (watch videos or play pokers with friends) could be a recipe for success.

4 ms·

Interesting, the article doesn't really mention Google's motivation for the bid, but I'm guessing it would just be to lock down the rights to some of the media

by FreeKill 15y ago

viscanti 15y ago
I don't think it's for a premium Youtube. I think it's to bolster their Google plus offering. Watching hulu shows live with friends across the world could be something to set them apart from Facebook. Right now Facebook's model is based on "sharing" what you've already done (I watched a show on Hulu). Google can one-up that by making it truly social (you're watching a show with your friends). It depends how committed they are to Google plus. If they want to give themselves a (another?) significant differentiator from other social networks, acquiring Hulu could do that.
- davorak 15y ago
  I would consider that a significant feature. Something that would hook many new users, a large hard to remove hook to boot.
- untog 15y ago
  They would be insane to buy a whole stack of premium video content and not tie it into YouTube at all. The idea of watching a TV show with someone on Google Plus strikes me as... kind of awful. Maybe that's just me.
  - viscanti 15y ago
    It's certainly not for everyone. One of the big selling points of google plus is being able to do things with friends. The goal seems to be to add an additional level of "social" to their social network. They're doing that through games and youtube video. Hulu video seems like a natural extension of that. It won't appeal to everyone (nothing does), but it will to some. Better sharing settings (through circles) and better social features (watch videos or play pokers with friends) could be a recipe for success.