SeeSaw, formerly the BBC’s Kangaroo, has now entered beta testing, with a full launch planned in the next few weeks. What is SeeSaw like to use, and how does it compare to the standard-bearers of Hulu, iPlayer, and 4oD?
SeeSaw
SeeSaw is the service which has risen from the ashes of Project Kangaroo, an attempt to build a one-stop shop for all British TV catch-up services. And SeeSaw fulfills that original remit, drawing its content from the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, and Five.
Arqiva spent an estimated $8 million on the infrastructure for SeeSaw, and the company intends to turn a profit. That’s why although it’s currently a free, advertising-backed endeavor, the future will likely see paid-for options as well, possibly with international programming at its heart.
Online video viewers aren’t currently bombarded with lots of ads. Most sites include a few, but nowhere near as many as TV viewers have to contend with. However, this could soon change, and that’s not necessarily such a bad thing.
Online video is growing ever more popular, particularly in the United States. But it’s YouTube which continues to drive market penetration, with Hulu leading the rest of the growing pack.
Hulu’s preposterous exclusion of Boxee has now made it to Congress, with the head of NBC being directly asked about the continuing situation. Could this finally lead to an end of the fight or will the networks and cable companies dig their heels in further?
Hulu has entered 2010 on a high, serving one billion videos in December 2009. And yet the company is facing new challenges, namely how to make the service a profitable one. Paid options are definitely on the way but it looks likely there’ll always be a free option.
