Nintendo launched the Wii U, its new home games console, in North America on Sunday (Nov. 18). Netflix and Hulu Plus are now both available through the Wii U, and both take advantage of the GamePad tablet controller to offer a second screen experience.

Netflix

Netflix arrived on the Wii U on day one, with existing Netflix users able to access the app by signing in. Non-members are instead invited to sign up for a free trial.

The Netflix app on Wii U takes advantage of the GamePad, the tablet-style controller that is Nintendo’s big idea with this console. Information about whatever you’re watching shows up on both the television and the GamePad, while the latter acts as a remote control while content is being played on the TV.

By selecting the ‘Play on GamePad‘ option playback switches from the TV to the controller, which also supports 1080p video. In this way you can leave the room while continuing to watch whatever content was previously playing on the television.

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Hulu Kids is a new dedicated section for children where Hulu will host commercial-free programming for younger generations. This is something Netflix introduced a while back, but for Hulu it’s a case of better late than never.

The Internet Generation

Children have always been avid television viewers. They’re also very open to new experiences, so many have switched to online options such as YouTube, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer much more quickly and readily than their parents.

This means that the online television portals have a need to cater to this younger generation of viewers, or risk losing them to the competition. With the online video sector still evolving, losing young viewers now could mean losing them for the longterm.

Netflix introduced a section named ‘Just For Kids‘ that is, unsurprisingly, just for kids, some time ago, and now Hulu has finally followed suit.

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Up until now there has been one noticeable absence from the programming line-up offered on Hulu. But a new deal struck between Hulu and CBS means all the major networks are now on board. Just as Hulu seems to be heading into choppy waters.

Hulu Bags CBS

ABC, NBC, and Fox have been on board the Hulu ship since it set sail in 2007. These three networks are all partners in the initiative, and they’ve added other networks and channels to the line-up over the course of the five-year voyage.

CBS opted to remain behind and offer its content on its own terms on its own site. However, it has previously licensed The CW slate of programming to Hulu, as well as offer some content through Hulu Japan.

After a new deal was struck, CBS content will now be found on Hulu from January 2013. Hulu Plus subscribers will get first dibs on the programming, with a selection of shows also being rotated through the free Hulu service.

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It looks as though Hulu is on the slide, as the Disney, NBC, and News Corp. co-owned service is reportedly losing viewers at an alarming rate. This could explain why the partners were so keen to sell the company last year.

Hulu Losing Viewers

According to Wedbush Securities using comScore data, Hulu viewership has dropped sharply during the course of 2012. In March users watched 156 hours of content through the website, but by August that had dropped to 56 million hours. As a result Hulu’s market penetration has dropped from 3.9 percent to just 1.5 percent.

This is bad news for Hulu, and it looks as though Providence Equity Partners may have chosen the right moment to sell its stake. The questions over the decline have to be why is it happening, and why now?

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Although online television companies have been primarily purveyors of traditional TV content to this point, that is changing. original programming is becoming a legitimate proposition, and Hulu is leading the way.

Original Programming

The Internet is changing the way we all consumer content, be it music, movies, games, or television. The networks and cable companies aren’t too happy about this, but it’s happening with or without them.

Not only are there now a multitude of online options for those looking to cut the cord, the companies serving up these new ways of viewing are expanding their remits to include original programming.

Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube are responsible for original content, from Web shorts to professional, network-quality shows. And it’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down or disappearing.

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Hulu has changed its UI for those who watch video content on the Web. The changes are intended to improve the experience, but some users aren’t seeing it quite that way.

BIG Hulu Update

Hulu has rolled out a new version of the video player on its website. The biggest change is the default size of the player, with it being 55 percent larger than the old one.

This change in size has necessitated a few other, lesser changes. The background color (now a dark gray matte), the location of the video details (now underneath the video), and the hiding of several options behind a ‘More’ button.

This includes the option to view the content in a ‘Pop-Out’ player. Which is still there for those willing to look beyond their noses. Unfortunately people generally don’t take the time to absorb simple changes such as these before they let loose with the complaints. As has happened here.

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I’m writing this on February 29, a day that only exists once every four years. It’s a leap year, which makes perfect timing to announce a second season of the show by that name. That’s a clever piece of marketing, Hiscox.

Original Web Series

Original Web series come in all different shapes and sizes. They can be purely amateur affairs uploaded to YouTube, or more professional efforts which are commissioned by and/or shown across online platforms.

Some of these shows have been highly successful, from the fake reality show LonelyGirl15, through Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and on to the cable-like shows Lilyhammer and House Of Cards.

The latter two are indiscernible from television shows, except they are exclusive to Netflix. Leap Year is another TV-like show, but this one isn’t exclusive to Netflix. Instead it’s available anywhere and everywhere, or so it seems.

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