PSound
09-15-09, 06:48 PM
News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch touted the success of online video site Hulu.com today, saying the company is considering subscription and pay-per-view options for the service. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XVIII Conference today, Murdoch also expressed concern about Redbox's $1 a night rentals.
Murdoch said he's "very proud" of Hulu, the online-video site News Corp. launched with NBC Universal in early 2008, and that the site would consider subscription and pay-per-view services to bring in more sales. Walt Disney Studios also is a partner in Hulu.
Murdoch also said Redbox kiosks' $1 rentals don't make money for either the studios or the kiosk operator but that the format will continue to grow because of its customer convenience. Redbox only makes money when customers pay $2 to $3 after keeping DVDs for more than one night, Murdoch said.
Redbox has doubled its units to about 18,000 over the past year by reaching agreements with retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens and Kroger, allowing Redbox parent Coinstar to double its second-quarter earnings from a year earlier.
"Do we like Redbox coming in at a dollar? No, we don't," said Murdoch. "But it's not going away. If Walmart were to throw them out, Walmart would put their own box in."
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6696995.html
Murdoch said he's "very proud" of Hulu, the online-video site News Corp. launched with NBC Universal in early 2008, and that the site would consider subscription and pay-per-view services to bring in more sales. Walt Disney Studios also is a partner in Hulu.
Murdoch also said Redbox kiosks' $1 rentals don't make money for either the studios or the kiosk operator but that the format will continue to grow because of its customer convenience. Redbox only makes money when customers pay $2 to $3 after keeping DVDs for more than one night, Murdoch said.
Redbox has doubled its units to about 18,000 over the past year by reaching agreements with retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens and Kroger, allowing Redbox parent Coinstar to double its second-quarter earnings from a year earlier.
"Do we like Redbox coming in at a dollar? No, we don't," said Murdoch. "But it's not going away. If Walmart were to throw them out, Walmart would put their own box in."
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6696995.html