-->

Hulu Planning Interface Changes for On-Demand and Live Video

Article Featured Image

Streaming service Hulu has the least conventional user interface (UI) around, but changes it will begin testing in the next few weeks could make the service easier to navigate—and more like competing services.

The biggest change will be to its opening screen, called the Lineup. The current page shows a combination of editorial choices and recommendations, explained Jim Denney, Hulu vice president of product, speaking to Techcrunch at CES.

Hulu will test two different approaches for the startup screen. The first will highlight curated shows and movies chosen by Hulu staff, while the second will feature unwatched content from the member's My Stuff area, meaning programs they've already expressed a desire to watch.

Testing will take place in the coming weeks.

Members scrolling through content on Hulu will soon see more titles per screen. Currently, the UI shows one selection at a time before finally moving to a standard grid design. Soon, the UI will show more thumbnails from the beginning. A reimagined Details screen will offer more program info, and will let users add or remove favorites.

One of the biggest changes is coming to the live TV grid. Hulu resisted offering a standard electronic program guide, favoring a simplified grid that only shows what's currently playing and what's coming next. But a new guide will offer two weeks of listings, making it easier to see when programs air.

These and other Hulu UI changes will begin appearing this spring. A Hulu rep told StreamingMedia.com these changes are built around three pillars: quick, simple, and clear. Those are all things the Hulu UI could use.

Hulu's upcoming live program grid

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

OTT Falls Into the Same Trap as Cable

Viewers turned away from cable because it offered them too many choices. OTT recreates the same problem, but on steroids. So what is the industry going to do about it?

PBS Is Missing From Streaming Lineups, and That Needs to Change

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? And all the other great programs on PBS? For cord-cutters, PBS is a no-show and it's sorely missed.

Hulu Begins Testing Pause Ad Unit With Charmin and Coca-Cola

The new format will show an overlay ad over part of the screen when a program is paused, and is currently in beta testing.

Analysts Respond to Hulu Price Drop, See the Move as Savvy

A recent price hike by Netflix could have consumers reevaluating their OTT spending. By lowering costs, Hulu helps avoid churn.

Hulu and AT&T to Show Commercials When Content Is Paused: Report

Both networks plan to increase commercial loads by using ads that fill the screen when viewers take a break. Will viewer outrage convince them to back off?

Netflix, Amazon, Hulu the Most Popular OTT Services in the U.S.

HBO Now and Starz enter the top five, showing the popularity of premium original content to subscribers, says Parks Associates.

Hulu Plans to Offer More On-Demand, Less Live Programming

Can Hulu convince media companies to relax their licensing rules? The service wants to make some live channels on-demand only.