There\u2019s been a lot of build up toward Hulu\u2019s live TV service, which has been in the oven for several months, but it finally sounds like it\u2019s on the verge of launching. Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins this week shared more details about what to expect, including a sub-$40 price when it\u2019s finally made available.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re going to try to keep our pricing pretty simple,\u201d Hopkins said at an event in Las Vegas. \u201cUnder $40, that\u2019s going to be the price.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hopkins didn\u2019t specify what the final price will be but by giving a ballpark number he\u2019s putting the recently launched DirecTV Now on blast. The AT&T-owned service\u00a0is going to raise the price of one of its plans following a limited time introductory offer, something a lot of people are unhappy about.<\/p>\n
The Hulu CEO also said the sub-$40 price will include Hulu\u2019s existing $8 video on demand service, along with cloud DVR, the latter of which isn\u2019t offered by DirecTV Now (yet).<\/p>\n
Perhaps just as big as the service\u2019s price, Hulu said it reached a deal with CBS for its live TV service. Again, that\u2019s not something DirecTV Now offers. Are you starting to see a pattern?<\/p>\n
It appears by taking a more measured approach to the market, Hulu is able to offer a compelling service right out of the gate, rather than one customers have to wait to be improved. (DirecTV Now is in talks to add CBS-owned content.)<\/p>\n
Hopkins didn\u2019t reveal a launch date for the service but we should expect it to go live in the next few months. The CEO is apparently showing it off at CES, giving people a taste of how the service will look.<\/p>\n
Should we see it with our own eyes we\u2019ll be sure to report back. There are already several live TV services available, including Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV Now. But it sure sounds like consumers will have yet another compelling option to check out very soon.<\/p>\n