Is NBC Scared of the Internet

I can only name a handful of shows now-a-days just because there are so many that are just not good. There are a few that are unique, interesting, and actually very well done. Those few I try to follow quite closely, I don't spend much time watching TV so I crave the select few good shows. The other day I signed up for a free trial of Hulu Plus on the Xbox 360. Sorry PlayStation users, who knows when your network will be back up. I signed up for that trial of Hulu specifically to watch Community on NBC. 

To my surprise while the NBC channel on Hulu had quite a few shows available it seems they don't have the big current hits streaming on demand. I can somewhat understand this, they are holding on to what they can of the terrestrial market and want to drive people to watch live programming versus lesser paying online streaming media. Then I noticed a green "Web Only" button above the Community header. I was quickly annoyed. Web only? I am on the web! What do they think this Xbox is connected through? 

I switched over to my home theater PC which is connected to the exact same TV and fired up Community. Half way through the show I realized I didn't sign into Hulu. I was watching the same free content available to everyone. So I can watch Community on the free web version but it's not offered via a paid premium service? Of course Hulu isn't making the decision, the networks are contractually limiting the licensing of these shows, but what is the decision making process here?

Hulu Plus is available on gaming systems, smartphones, and tablets. I imagine the networks believe by limiting shows licensing  to an extent they can hold onto some of the live television viewers where most of the money is made. I wonder if they realize more and more people are connecting computers via HDMI directly to their HDTV's?

Almost all networks, even deep cable, stream most if not all of their shows on their websites now. The networks seem to be trying to use the internet but it feels like they're falling short. I don't see how broadcast and cable television will exist in 10-20 years. The old, out of touch, men running these companies need to realize the company that fully utilizes the internet first will transition easiest.
     

Posted in: