Yesterday, the Netflix CEO calls out Comcast and today the FCC gets involved, but tonight…Hulu may have discovered their own way to fight back against Comcast. Hulu is looking to enter into the original programming market and act more like a traditional network. This may be the way to gain a competitive edge and it could possibly change the market for streaming content.

Now a bit of a disclaimer, I’m a not-so-happy Comcast customer, but have not made the jump to Hulu and I recently cancelled my Netflix subscription. Comcast is expensive, but offers everything I need for my TV entertainment. On the other hand, there’s not enough attraction or difference that makes Netflix/Hulu worth my money.

However, what I do enjoy is watching new series programming like Modern Family, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men. Hulu is hoping that this same market of customer will feel the attraction to their own original series–which of course will only be available through Hulu. I sure hope Netflix is paying attention and is listening.

Here are some key areas that Hulu/Netflix can explore to fight against Comcast and other networks:

Music – Providing users with special, only-available-through-hulu music content could spark some interest. Imagine special backstage access to your favorite artists? Unreleased music not available anywhere else? Special performances only available on Hulu/Netflix? There’s some incentive right there to subscribe

– Providing users with special, only-available-through-hulu music content could spark some interest. Imagine special backstage access to your favorite artists? Unreleased music not available anywhere else? Special performances only available on Hulu/Netflix? There’s some incentive right there to subscribe Movies – Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) have original movies for quite some time and why not Hulu/Netflix join in? Reach out to some high-profile actors and/or actors trying to make a comeback and they could put together some great movies. Again, these movies could provide incentives to subscribe

– Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) have original movies for quite some time and why not Hulu/Netflix join in? Reach out to some high-profile actors and/or actors trying to make a comeback and they could put together some great movies. Again, these movies could provide incentives to subscribe Sports/Other Interests – Work with professional sports (Golf, Basketball, Football or even MMA/UFC) to host a few tournaments that will attract a decent amount of viewership. If a sport that I like to watch has an event that is only available through Hulu/Netflix, I may think about making a jump. Boxing is a sport that needs some attention, maybe work out a deal with them?

These are 3 key areas that Hulu/Netflix could investigate and may change the competitive landscape. The key is providing exclusive content that is only available through these apps. Competing with the traditional cable networks is tough especially if price is the main incentive. Original content of all kinds is an interesting market and with enough advertising/marketing, it could become a hit.

Imagine if Modern Family was only available through Hulu? Yes, there is a chance the show wouldn’t be a hit b/c of the limited audience, but what if it did become popular? Things would be different!

Share this post on: