Some people are talking about Microsoft perhaps working on a subscription video service, much like Hulu Plus or Netflix streaming packages to be branded under the Zune name. Microsoft has also been named in rumored talks about a purchase of Hulu which would give them an instant subscription service for video. 
However, one has to wonder, which way would be cheaper and easier to go? Is the purchase of Hulu less complicated than building out the Zune marketplace to include a subscription video service? Google is said to be working on one, and also interested in Hulu. Amazon has its Prime service which gives access to a library of video for streaming.
Why am I writing about this here at Gamers Daily News? It has nothing to do with games.
But it could be tied to Xbox LIVE and it could be a value-add to the service if they were to move to a so-called Platinum level of service.
I had hypothesized about this level of XBLA just recently and stated that some added value would need to be included. Given the fact that around a million people pay monthly at Hulu and some 24 million are subscribed to Netflix, this could be an excellent move for Microsoft and Xbox.
That also means that they could see some serious value in the purchase of Hulu as it would give them those million subscribers and since there’s already a Hulu Plus app for the Xbox 360, it would be easy enough to incorporate into the video marketplace with a rebrand as Zune Streaming Video.
The competition is reportedly tough though. The aforementioned Google is joined by Amazon, Yahoo! and DirecTV along with Microsoft in courting the online video service and the process is set to go into phase two where the potential buyers will now pore over the company to decides its worth and then move on to bidding.
At least Hulu and Xbox 360 have the same color logos, seems like a good fit doesn’t it?
