Global Search Pros

Hulu.com, the online video site, co-created by NBC and Fox became publicly accessible today. While I was not a beta tester, I have spent a large amount of time today getting acquainted with their catalog and experience.

The main value of Hulu is that its sanctioned by the big content companies (Fox, NBC Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., MGM, the NBA, Lionsgate, FX, E! Entertainment, Bravo, National Geographic, and USA Networks all have content on the site). Yes, we have been able to download tv and movies for a while, but having an approved source for entire TV episodes and movies means we don’t have to spend hours waiting for a download to finish or worry (as much) about the MPAA raiding our houses.

The movie catalog is still tiny compared to your favorite torrent site, but it will grow.

Likewise, the TV catalog is not exhaustive, but you can catch SNL, Simpsons, Family Guy, 30 Rock, and some episodes from most of the major networks (unfortunately, ABC is not included). Again, we can expect the selection to grow.

After clicking on TV or Movies at the top of the screen, you can navigate to the most popular full lengths or clips, search by genres, or search by studio. Everything is easy on the eye, though the headers for tv shows are unnecessarily huge. You should have no problems finding what you want…if they have it.

Today, I watched the Bones Christmas episode that I had only seen parts of. Yes, guys do watch Bones.

As a video site, Hulu is nothing amazing — yet — but its backing by the big media companies and its ad supported format means its got a shot. We will just have to wait and see how fun it ends up being.