Rumor: Google also wants to buy Hulu

By Molly McHugh July 1, 2011

Last week a mystery unfolded involving Hulu and the possible buyers it was considering. While we heard there are a myriad of potential interested parties, a new one can be added to that list: Google. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Internet scion has thrown its hat into the ring, along with Yahoo and Microsoft

Google has been investing major resources into YouTube as well as Google TV in attempts to provide more content for users. It’s come up against some resistance from larger labels however, including the likes of ABC, NBC, and Fox – all of which own a piece of Hulu, complicating matters. It can probably go without being said, but it’s pretty obvious why Google wants to bag Hulu: In addition to netting some seriously popular content, it would also get access to some important and profitable advertising deals. A ComScore report recently revealed that while YouTube easily, embarrassingly trumps Hulu when it comes to page visits, the streaming service crushes the Google property in video ad sales.

The company has been busy remodeling YouTube, bringing in platforms for premium content and apparently trying to introduce celebrity-branded channels. All of this isn’t only to woo viewers, but to woo advertisers. And while cleaning up the platform and introducing higher-quality content is a step in the right direction, what it could use would be some mainstream, established shows. Which, of course, Hulu has: Glee, 30 Rock, South Park, Modern Family, The Simpsons are just a few of the massively popular titles the site offers.

But it wouldn’t be a possible Google acquisition without there being a few potential snags, the foremost being the general resistance of Hulu’s owners. They pulled their content from Google TV in October 2010, and haven’t looked back. There’s also the Department of Justice to consider. Google acquisitions have raised antitrust regulators’ eyebrows before (think the ITA Software deal), and YouTube’s Internet domination might spur yet another investigation. This all makes for some difficult ground for Google to tread on, but there is one clear winner in all of this: Hulu. She must feel like the prettiest girl at the prom right now.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Audio / Video

This long-awaited YouTube TV feature is a channel-flipper’s dream

The previous channel feature on YouTube TV on a TV.

The move from cable to streaming for live TV changed a lot of things. Choice, for one. (We have more.) Price, for another. (You're likely paying less.) But not all changes were great. If you're of the channel-surfing variety — or love to flip back and forth between two channels — you've likely been missing that feature.

YouTube TV — the most popular streaming service in the U.S. with more than 8 million subscribers — has addressed the latter. After having been teased in some A/B testing for a while now (that is, some folks saw it, and most didn't), it looks like the ability to hop back and forth between two channels is now rolling out more broadly.

Audio / Video

If you don’t see CBS in 4K on YouTube TV, try this

Super Bowl in 4K on CBS on YouTube TV.

A quick heads up if you have the 4K add-on for YouTube TV but aren't seeing the option to watch Super Bowl 2024 in 4K on CBS: It's likely because you're using a custom sort on your live channel listings. (Which is something you might have done if you want to hide YouTube TV channels that you never watch.) That'a bad enough for the game itself, and it also means you won't be able to enjoy the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 4K.

This is a known problem — and has been for years — anytime YouTube TV adds a new channel to the listing. If you're not using the default sort on the live channel listings, a new channel will appear at the bottom of the listings, which is bad enough. But worse is that it's hidden by default until you actively go in and unhide it.

Audio / Video

YouTube TV free trial: Stream over 100 channels free for 10 days

A person pointing a remote towards a TV with YouTube running.

Whether you want to watch the big game as it happens or just channel surf until you find something good, live TV is the only answer. Thankfully the best live TV streaming services have stepped in to fulfill your live TV needs while letting you cut the cable cord. One of the best services to go through is YouTube TV. That's right, the free video hosting site that arguably starting the online streaming boom has a cable replacement service with hundreds of channels. Furthermore, it hosts top events. In fact, if you're eligible for a free trial, it could be your ticket to watching the Super Bowl for free. Here's how to test it out.
Is there a YouTube TV free trial?

Yes, there is a YouTube TV free trial. It's actually one of the best free trials out there from any streaming service, let alone a live TV service with over 100 channels. The current deal lets you get ten free days of the service. You'll have access to the 85 channels from the base plan, plus the option to add other free trials through packages they offer, such as YouTube TV Spanish plans and the HBO Max add-on. A plan normally costs $73 per month, so definitely sign up for a free trial before you drop any cash. Once your ten-day trial is over and you're in love with the service, your first three months will be discounted to $65 as a new sign-on bonus.