Hulu is rising once again after having what can only be described as a lull in its incredible growth. Thanks mainly to a new season of TV programming and the addition of ABC content, the U.S. TV catch-up service is growing. Let’s just hope the new embed policy doesn’t hinder that growth.

Hulu On The Up

According to AdAge, Hulu is growing once again after experiencing a few months of static or even negative growth. Figures from the comScore Video Metrix suggest Hulu grew almost 47 percent from September to October.

Over the last month Hulu has served an estimated 856 million video streams, up from the 583 million streamed during September. Unique visitors also rose, up 10 percent from 38.7 million to 42.5 million.

This represents an even bigger jump in viewing figures than that experienced after the Super Bowl ads in February which prompted a 33 percent rise.

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What started out as a means of streaming Netflix ‘Watch Instantly’ content has now evolved into something more. And it could just be the start.

The Roku box has now had 10 new, free channels added to its line-up, and thanks to the open platform nature of its Channel Store this could increase massively over the next few months/years.

Roku Netflix Player

The Roku set-top box made its debut in May 2008 when it was known as the Netflix Player. That, rather obviously, is because Roku had teamed up with the DVD-by-mail and video streaming company to provide a means of getting the content to televisions.

The Roku box cost $99 at launch and, despite reservations from some due to the distinct lack of content, it sold rather well at that super-budget price point. But the time has come to move the product on a little.

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“Video Blogging” is a book that gives practical and detailed instructions about developing a video-based blog, appropriate for both beginning and experienced video bloggers.

Video Podcasting, Vlogging, Vidcasting, Vodcasting, and What it All Means…

“Video Blogging” opens with a detailed introduction that breaks down the mindset of what videoblogging is all about, and why someone would do this. Reasons are numerous: connecting with family and friends, promoting business, sharing homemade movies and shows, etc.
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Adhering to a budget is the name of the game during tough economic times like these and many Americans are looking for ways to cut bills. One popular way has been eliminating ye olde cable bill from your life.

By pulling the plug on cable and satellite television, consumers may be saving more than $1,500 a year. There are many popular options out there such as plugging in your computer to the TV to watch Hulu, a Apple TV/Boxxee box or Roku, but for many, purchasing more equipment defeats the purpose of a budget. 

Streaming television on a video game system is becoming a popular method for those looking to save some cash and since many Americans already have a gaming device, it’s really just a natural progression. Though it’s possible to use a Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii for streaming TV, we’ll focus on Xbox 360 as there seems to be more content capabilities. 

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British viewers now have a new section of YouTube named ‘Shows’. It contains clips and full episodes from 60 partners, with more promised to follow. The bulk of the content comes from Channel 4, which is running the venture alongside its own 4oD.

Professional YouTube

YouTube has been seeking to add full-length episodic content and movies to its line-up for a while now. And it’s starting to see the fruits of its labor, at least in the U.K.

While UGC is still a huge part of the Google-owned site, and will no doubt continue to be, YouTube knows that professional content is essential if it’s to become profitable.

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Every month new viewing figures for online video are released and they tend to follow a similar pattern – YouTube at the top, and everyone else scrabbling for top 10 positions. However, this month saw something different, with Facebook surprising everyone by jumping to third.

Online Video Stats

Nielsen, as well as a number of other companies, measure the number of streams viewed on online video destinations every month.

October was no exception, although the figures were more interesting than usual. mainly because while the top two of YouTube and Hulu remained the same, there were some big changes after that. And it could be the start of a trend set to get stronger over the next few months/years.

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Citizen journalists have increased both in number and importance in recent years. And Google is now seeking to bring some order to the chaos of how amateur footage is delivered online with YouTube Direct matching citizen journalists with news media organizations.

Citizen Journalists

There was a time when news coverage was strictly professional, delivered by paid reporters, photographers, and cameramen. And then everything changed with digital cameras and video cameras standard on cellphones.

Now, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be a citizen journalist, reporting the news as it happens in front of them. Twitter and social networks are an important facet of this trend, as is online video and in particular YouTube.

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