Dear Andy-

I read your blog entry “A Fond Farewell” today with great disappointment.   The day Hulu launched back in March of 2008 was the day I canceled my DISH Network satellite service.  Like many other people, I’ve enjoyed the content you’ve provided.  I’ve seen the changes you’ve made…some good, some bad.  I understand that you have a business to run and that content licenses are sometimes complicated and change over time.

Yesterday, March 2nd 2010, you announced that “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” would no longer be distributed on Hulu.  You said, “After a series of discussions with the team at Comedy Central…we ultimately were unable to secure the rights to extend these shows for a much longer period of time.”

It is no surprise to me, however, that you’re suddenly having difficulty negotiating with Comedy Central (or any other content provider for that matter.)   Why?

Because March 2, 2010 was the day you started producing your own content.

March 2nd, 2010 was the day you stopped being simply a content distributor, and became a content producer.

March 2nd, 2010 was the day you became competition to ALL of your content providers.

And for what?  So you can start streaming YET ANOTHER mindless, Simon Fuller-produced, “I Can Dream” REALITY TV SHOW?

Andy, you and Hulu are shooting yourselves in the foot.  You yourself said that quality content like the award-winning “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report”  are consistently two of the top-watched shows on Hulu.  Why are they watched?

BECAUSE THEY’RE GOOD.  They’re NOT reality television.

You’re taking a huge step backwards.  HUGE.

Stop producing your own content.  Take the money that you’re throwing away at Simon Fuller’s idiot dreams project and hand it to directly to Comedy Central.  The Comedy Central shows are ANCHORS.  They will be with you for years to come. Focus on what Hulu does well:  simple interface, solid streaming technology, and distributing quality content…OTHER PEOPLE’S CONTENT.

Mark my words:  Unless you change this quickly, you’re going to lose the streaming online content race.  Heck, I’m not even in your business and it’s blatantly obvious to me.  Strategically you’ve put yourself in a terrible position.  Your other content partners will see you as competition and do the same thing Comedy Central has done:  Leave.

Sincerely,

Johnny Diggz
Hulu fan from Day 1