Google Chromecast this week debuted an app for Hulu Plus, the premium, subscription-level service, but the free stuff offered by Hulu has already been a video streaming hit on the hot-selling streaming dongle.
According to data released this week by Parks Associates, 34% of Chromecast owners use it to stream free content from the Hulu Web site to the TV set daily.
That still doesn’t outpace Netflix, which was one of a small batch of OTT video companies that has offered an app optimized for the device since Chromecast launched. About 43% of Chromecast owners use the device to fling Netflix content to the TV, Parks Associates said.
But the firm said Chromecast’s “screen-shifting” ability, even before apps are developed, is a source of concern for the content folks. Hulu Plus, for example, comes with rights for delivery to the TV set, while the free stuff is supposed to be constrained to PCs and laptops.
“Chromecast is giving people in Hollywood headaches right now,” John Barrett, director of consumer analytics for Parks Associates, said in a statement. “All the wrangling over licensing restrictions doesn’t mean much if consumers can simply circumvent them.”
From the article, "Hulu Already a Hit on Chromecast" by Jeff Baumgartner.
