Hulu’s recommendations feature starts rolling out to everyone

It's been over a year since Hulu introduced Watchlist, which puts your queue, favorites and watched content all in one place. Up until today, though, that feature was only available to users who wanted to try it early. But now Hulu's making Watchlist...

Google’s Chromecast now supports Hulu Plus app streaming (video)

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Launching in July with Netflix and YouTube mirroring, Google's $35 Chromecast streaming dongle now has another video streaming service adding supporting the platform to its apps: Hulu. From today, Hulu will provide Chromecast streaming inside its Hulu Plus app, mirroring shows like New Girl and Modern Family on the big screen. Unlike Netflix, which allows subscribers to stream video from Chrome and its official apps, Hulu originally supported Chromecast via its tab casting feature. Today's extenstion will see a Cast button added to Hulu's iPad and Android apps (with iPhone support "coming very soon"). While we're still waiting for Google to open Chromecast to allow local media playback, the addition of Hulu Plus may tide us over until it does.

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Source: Official Google Blog, Hulu Blog

Hulu offers a few fall premieres from Fox, ABC and NBC online before they air

DNP Hulu offers a handful of fall premieres online before they air

It's pumpkin spice latte season, and that can only mean one thing: fall TV premieres are right around the corner. Thankfully, Hulu (like several other providers, if you have cable or satellite just take a look at your video on-demand menu) is once again letting you get the jump on your water cooler gossip by offering an early look at a few new and returning shows from ABC, NBC and Fox in advance of their television air dates. So, if you've been suffering from severe withdrawal from The Mindy Project (now with 100% more James Franco) or been intrigued by the overripe nostalgia of The Goldbergs, you're in luck. Also available on Hulu right now are new episodes of Back in the Game, Trophy Wife, Ironside and Welcome to the Family. To get into the spirit of premiere season, follow the source link below.

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Source: Hulu

Hulu Plus gets a whole new look on the iPad, focuses on discovery

Hulu Plus gets a whole new look on the iPad

Hulu may be constantly on the brink of a buyout, but that doesn't mean the current owners are just sitting about waiting for some high roller to come along. In fact, over the last couple of months the streaming service has undergone a pretty impressive transformation. There have been a few new features added and some licensing deals struck. But, most noticeably, Hulu Plus has received a spiffy new look across almost all platforms. Today it's the iPad's turn to cash in and the new experience has a heavy focus on discovering content. Tapping on a show brings up the "discover" panel, which provides you with a quick shortcut to play the first, next or latest episode (depending on where yo left off) along with details about the program. If you want to keep looking, but don't want to drop back out to the card-like UI of the home screen, swiping left or right will take you to the next collection or season. If you're in the middle of watching an episode of SNL then remember you forgot to add the latest episode of Misfits to your queue, you can pinch the video to minimize it quickly add it then pop back to a full screen of Weekend Update without skipping a beat. Of course, multitasking is in-app only -- so you wont be able to shrink the episode down to the corner while you search for stills from Good Burger. There are also a bunch of more minor tweaks, such as inline clip playback and curated collections. After the break you'll find the complete changelog as well as a video walk through of the updated app.

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Source: Hulu, Hulu Plus (App Store)

Netflix still the dominant streaming provider, according to latest NPD report

Netflix still the dominant streaming provider, according to latest NPD report

No, you can't hold the Bluths responsible for this -- not yet, anyway. The NPD Group's just released its latest figures for streaming video on demand (SVOD) in Q1 2013 and, unsurprisingly, Netflix still reigns supreme. According to the data, it's the many hours of available ad-free boob tube (read: TV) programming that's propelling SVOD viewership, so much so that it's increased by 34 percent year-over-year. Break that down amongst SVOD providers and you'll find 90 percent of that viewing pie belongs to (wait for it!)... Netflix, which actually represents a 4-percent drop from the same quarter last year.

As for the general state of SVOD, the majority of eyeballs still turn to the television set for a streaming fix, with that device commanding an 80 percent share. And, yes, it's once again Netflix that garners the most use here (nearly 90 percent), but rival streaming services Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime are making gains at 10 and 2 percent, respectively. Although there does appear to be a minor chink in Reed Hastings' red armor. These latest numbers also show streaming subs branching out from a sole dependence on Netflix, with 10 percent adding Amazon Prime to the mix and 8 percent doubling down with Netflix and Hulu. Translation: they couldn't find what they wanted on Netflix. We've all been there.

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Hulu Plus update for Android adds higher quality playback for select devices

Hulu Plus update for Android adds higher quality playback for select devices

Want to "feel like you have bionic retina implants minus the deductible and waiting for its invention" while watching Hulu Plus on Android? Or whatever that means? (Seriously, that bizarro PR speak's in the official Hulu Plus changelog on Google Play) Well, now you can, as the streaming outfit's added a new 'HQ' setting for users of the HTC One, Droid DNA and Samsung Galaxy S 4. That's right, this new higher resolution streaming option is only available for a small subset of smartphones with a 1080p display. So, if you're an early adopter (and a subscriber!), pat yourself on the back because this one's for you... and your "bionic retina implants minus the deductible and waiting for its invention."

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Source: Google Play

Hulu Plus update brings enhanced UI and controls to Roku, Smart TVs and Blu-ray players

Hulu Plus update brings enhanced UI and controls to Roku, Smart TVs and Bluray players

Hulu Plus has been on a roll in the mobile world this month, dishing out a brand-new Windows Phone app and updates to its Android UI. Fortunately, the service is pushing out similar efforts to the home entertainment side as well: a new refresh is rolling out to Samsung Smart TVs, select Blu-ray players and newer Roku hardware, with the Wii getting the update treatment in the near future. Enhancements in the new "experience" include a new tray-style user interface with a "shows you watch" feature, simplified controls, better search and Hulu Kids. Sounds like a pretty solid effort by the company, but if you're not convinced, head to the source link for the full list of changes.

Update: A post on the Roku blog indicates the new UI is coming to the Roku HD (2500) and later models including the Roku 2, 3 and Streaming Stick. Earlier devices will still get the old UI.

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Source: Hulu Blog, Roku Blog

Hulu Plus for Android update improves player UI, expands compatibility

Hulu Plus for Android update improves player UI, expands compatibility

The Hulu Plus app for Android has a new update, and the most noticeable change is that its player UI to closer match the one on its website and in iOS. It also brings features from those platforms like 10 second skip back and a preview thumbnail in the scrub bar. Hulu also claims it's rebuilt "for optimized awesomeness" with reduced buffering, better playback, and more device compatibility. Finally, in a move that should make plugging in your HDMI-out a little easier, it supports remote control navigation from game controllers and "similar peripherals." A picture of the new UI is above, check out the old version after the break or just hit the source link to try it out for yourself.

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Source: Google Play

Hulu Plus comes to Windows Phone today

Hulu Plus arrives on Windows Phone today

It was six months ago that Hulu Plus made its official debut on Windows 8 PCs and tablets. Now, Windows Phone users are about to suffer a similar loss of productivity. The WP8 app will be available today as a free download, featuring unlimited streaming and Live Tile support -- provided you're willing to fork out the standard $8 monthly subscription, that is. In any case, it should be available shortly, so keep a lookout. And as for all you Windows Phone naysayers, this means you now have one less reason to, well, say nay.

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Source: Hulu Blog, Windows Phone Blog, Windows Phone Store

Hulu: Paid subscriptions have doubled to four million in past year

Hulu Paid subscriptions have doubled to four million in past year

Hulu's future ownership may be in question, but the video streaming site is apparently doing fairly brisk business on the paid subscription front. During an advertiser event this morning, the site announced that it has managed to double its Hulu Plus accounts in the past year, up to four million. The site's revenue also hit a record for the first quarter of the year, though Hulu's not giving out any numbers. As with rivals Netflix and Amazon, the company's making a big bet on original programming, with a number of exclusive series, including the animated The Awesomes and western Quick Draw.

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Source: Hulu Blog