In what is sure to piss of more people than I can even count, Hulu execs have said that Hulu, sometime near in the future, will no longer be a free service. Some of the details are still a bit sketchy, but the general idea is that there will be some sort of a subscription model as part of their plan.


Broadcasting & Cable reports that News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey says: "It's time to start getting paid for broadcast content online." All about "value," he continues: "I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value. Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business."

NewCorp swears that there's no timeline set yet, but "supposes it's at least in 2010." So, as soon as next year, you might have to pay to delight in all things Hulu.

So the real question we are left with, is will you pay for Hulu? Is what they are offering worth you giving up your hard earned money for? I personally find it hard to believe that people are going to so easily convert over to this pay model. Just remember, almost nothing - especially things that CAN make money, even if only a few million, won't remain free. There is too much big business at work here.