In Depth
Hulu Users Happy With Site and Tech-Savvy but Not Numerous
Despite a high-profile in the media business, only 15% of online Americans have even heard of Hulu.com, the NBC-Fox online video venture. But those who have used the site like it a lot. That’s the conclusion of a recent study from Solutions Research Group obtained exclusively by TelevisionWeek.
Hulu users say they like the ability to search and find both old episodes of TV shows and recent ones they missed. Hulu visitors also like that the shows are free and that the service operates as something of an online digital video recorder.
Their only complaint is that the site offers only the most recent episodes of certain shows.
The average age of a Hulu user is 32, 10 years younger than the average online American. Also, two-thirds of Hulu users are male. Solutions Research Group said 51% of users are between 12 and 29, and their average income is 22% higher than the U.S. average.
Hulu users are more likely to own laptops, smart phones and video-capable MP3 players than the average online American.
About 39% of Hulu users said they “frequently paid attention to ads seen online.”


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Comments 10
Daniel Robitaille
I only have complaint about hulu: it doesn't work when you are outside the US. So I have no idea if it is good or not...
Richard Perez
I am 51, and think Hulu''s viewing experience is the best I've seen. CBS should either join the party or upgrade Innertube, which, even on DSL, can't send me a signal that won't stop multiple times torebuffer. Trying to view the premiere episode of "Flashpoing" gave me a headache.
Carlos Barbour
I love Hulu. My biggest complain thus far is the way videos are pulled from the site making the comment function meaningless. Why bother rating a video or commenting if that video is going to get yanked later.
Worse if that video appears later (such as some Family guy episodes) the comments previously listed don't re-appear.
Other than using my Tivo it is my prefered meathod of watching shows.
jpb
Tried the service a few times. Need more content, for sure. But most annoying is that you reall can't view full-screen. It's not so much the video quality, it's the frame-rate and audio sync--it kist gets all out of whack. I recently got a 22" monitor. Would love to watch some old episodes of this or that from across the room, but just doesn't work.
hulu fan
I watch hulu on my 42inch plasma and don't have any trouble with the full screen or refresh rate. Even have watched a few movies. My biggest bitch is the same commercial... I don't mind the commercials, but please get alittle variety. I now hate best buy
rightsaidted
Hulu is pretty good, but I prefer DVWN.com. Uncensored w/ no ads (for some reason I HATE ads of any kind on the Net!!) and everythings a buck. Comparable video quality. Cool cult movies and concerts definately worth the price, crazy stuff too like nude women's fight clubs, hardcore wrestling, etc... It's like high low brow content (if that makes sense). Can't watch on your TV though.
nycmom10024
I love Hulu have used it since the beta test. It is how I finally got to watch a number of shows that I haven't had time to watch. I don't DVR or Tivo, But I guess I am typical according to this studies findings. I have a smart phone and ipod and I sometimes watch on my laptop or thru my large screen tv. Although I am still in the 18-49 demo, I am older than 32.
signed happy hulu mom
Anthony
hulu, zoogatv and tidaltv all offer great professional movie, tv shows and comdey videos. I have found the experiences to be better then most video sites and i love the old and recent tv shows and movies.
digitante
With all due respect to Gertrude Stein, "There is no there there." Given the enormous resources at their disposal, Hulu could have been to streaming video what the iPhone is to cell phones. At this rate, ABC, CBS, MTV Networks, and all the others who haven't signed on are probably better going it alone and letting Hulu die off as an interesting experiment - but ultimately, a footnote - in big media on the web.
To their credit, fox.com and nbc.com have obviously stepped up their game so as not to get buried by Hulu. If nothing else, Hulu's required those entities to demonstrate a bit more ingenuity and innovation, if only by comparison.
Jonathan Shaw
I like Hulu a lot; the content selection could be better but it's really fairly impressive, especially all the full-length films that are available. Nice clean interface, and streaming works much better than on network online video sites. If you accidentally shut down your browser it remembers right where you left off -- a nice touch.
I agree with Hulu Fan's comment -- my main complaint would be about the "single sponsor" episodes. If you end up seeing the same ad again and again, you will quickly hate that product. With TV advertising, variety is a must. That said, the ads go by quickly -- there's only one shown at a time.