Hulu to charge for content

News Corp.'s new chief digital officer, Jonathan Miller, has claimed that he foresees the future of the company's Hulu service to include paid content, according to DailyFinance. Most of the content likely would remain free, although a portion of the TV shows and movies could only be accessible with a subscription.

At an Internet Week event, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter, Miller admitted that he had not yet attended his first Hulu board meeting, so any comments were personal speculation.

"In my opinion the answer could be yes," Miller said, regarding paid subscriptions. "I don't see why over time that shouldn't happen. I don't think it's on the agenda for Monday [but] it seems to me that over time that could be a logical thing."

Miller also provided his opinion on possible strategies for newspapers to get readers to pay for content. "I think what works for consumers most likely -- and this has to be tested, frankly -- is bundles," he said. The bundles could include location-specific content, such as information geared for New York readers. The subscriptions could also allow access from mobile devices such as the Kindle or iPhone.

The chief digital officer does not attend his first board meeting until Monday. Although the strategies are likely to be decided by a larger group, he will be in charge of coordinating new ways to make money from digital content across the entire range of News Corp. properties.

By Electronista Staff