We had heard the rumors and as it turns out they were true. Hulu has decided to offer a version of its subscription without the ad breaks. This ad-free Hulu will cost $12 per month, compared to the regular $8 subscription. That money will also get you more movies that Netflix doesn’t have thanks to the company’s deal with Epix.
There is a catch however. There always is. The FAQ indicates that due to licensing, a few shows will still have ads before and after (but not during) episodes. They are Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon A Time, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Scandal, Grimm, New Girl, and How To Get Away With Murder.
Hulu’s ads have always set it apart from their online streaming competition enemies, Amazon and Netflix. Now that they have more exclusive and original content it is now in a position to be a more serious competitor. Though without ads, it is a bit more expensive. A new subscription to Netflix can cost from $8 to $12 per month, but all come without ads, and you also get benefits like Ultra HD and surround sound. Hard to believe but Hulu still doesn’t have those features.
This should help them compete more, but it remains to be seen how many users are willing to pay for their service ad free.
Source Engadget
