Initially, when you visit the Hulu homepage, you are instantly greeted with a well-organized, visually-appealing array of options. Although the actual amount of video options Hulu offers is embarrassing compared to the millions + YouTube posses, Hulu's quality vastly outshines YouTube's quantity. Hulu also offers full length episodes and movies as opposed to the short clips found on YouTube. And, most importantly, all videos found on Hulu are posted by the actual creators, therefore no copyright infringements can be addressed.
BUT, and that's a big but...
I'm not turning my back on YouTube just yet. In hopes of becoming more credible, YouTube is in the process of 'growing up'. They have a long ways to go, but the intentions and prospects are good...
YouTube is gradually pulling themselves from their initial grassroots approach to media, in hopes of broadening their prospective (professional) users. Although YouTube does not intend to completely uproot, they are still inviting users to post their fan videos, spoofs, and musical tributes, they are trying to deflect illegal postings (such as videos without permission).
Some ways in which YouTube is 'growing up' you might ask?
An article in the New York Times (online) addresses the sites initial baby steps...
They (YouTube) have established a VideoID system, which makes it easy to recognize whether or not the video in question was legally placed on the website, or not. If the video does not have the VideoID, the corporation who owns the rights to the video has two options. First, they can pull the video from YouTube. Or, second, they can add advertisement to the video.
In a much larger stride towards Internet maturity, YouTube has paired up with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This partnership allows YouTube the rights to certain full length feature films, as well as complete episodes of television shows.
MGM currently has complete control over which shows and films will be featured on YouTube, and currently it is a very small selection, which hopefully will grow, as popularity increases. Production companies are hoping that a partnership with YouTube will help to diminish the 'pirating' of films and television shows.
Hopefully, this will help YouTube to keep up and be a valid competitor with Hulu currently and in the future.
1 comment:
That is pretty cool about the relationship they created with MGM. I would use YouTube to watch some good sitcoms or movie previews. Would make me feel better since it wouldn't be "illegal". I'll have to check it out.
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