Hulu now blocked on the BlackBerry PlayBook, big media strikes again

on 20 Apr 2011 06:56 PM

Hulu now blocked on the BackBerry PlayBook, big media strikes again

Some sad but expected news folks -- we've started getting tips in the forums and through the CrackBerry support tips line that Hulu has gotten a little cranky about offering content on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Although PlayBook owners previously have had access to all movies and TV shows it now looks that Hulu has added the BlackBerry PlayBooks browser string to their blocked list.

Overall, it's not really a huge surprise that they have done so but rather more frustrating and annoying that big media can't see the advantages here for end users. If you live in an area where the content is licensed for -- it really shouldn't matter on how you access that content. Hopefully, it'll work out in the end though and hulu will realize they just simply need to make an app for the Blackberry PlayBook that allows access. Thanks, to eveyone who sent this in!

Discuss the Hulu blocking in the CrackBerry Forums

Filed Under: News & Rumors; Tags: BlackBerry Playbook, Hulu

49 Comments

Posted by Pootermobile Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Well that sucks...

Posted by Yves Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Will it work through a Proxy?

Posted by slant Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

It shouldn't since proxies don't create their own http requests. They just relay the request from you. What would be needed to get around this would be a browser that allowed customized http headers. ie. override the headers sent by the playbook and mimic the ones that would be sent by a laptop browser. I'm pretty sure someone could make an app that would do it, but I didn't spend a ton of time looking at the BrowserField (or whatever it's called) in the apis.

Posted by wrcousert Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

The Dolphin browser for Android has the ability to spoof other browsers Any chance of getting Dolphin ported to the Playbook?

Posted by boman06210 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I have the galaxy tab with dolphin hd and no even on "desktop" it deosn't work.

Posted by wrcousert Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I just tried the same thing on my rooted Nook Color and got the same results.

How do they know we're using a mobile device?

Posted by GadgetProne Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Hulu, I will delete my account with you, don't cry BooHoo!

Posted by jpoulin587 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Now we need a setting that will make the PlayBook browser look like IE.

Posted by wrcousert Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

The standard Android browser has a setting to spoof IE6. Hulu still says I'm on an unsupported platform.

Posted by wizmillso Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Why does it feel like everyone is against this tablet, despite the fact that it is literary the most powerful and most useful one out.

Posted by Bla1ze Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Hulu blocks everything not under their standard practice -- was only a matter of time. Has nothing to do with it being the PlayBook, big media enforces it due to their arcane licensing laws. Take Netflix for example -- the content in Canada is different from the content in the U.S. because big meda won't license certain content outside of the U.S. and vice versa.

Posted by diruocco Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

i can agree with you, i love this tablet. i cab honedtly say that im impressed

Posted by 2001bmw330xi Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

figured out a workaround. i only tested with gmail but here goes:

browse to the hulu video you actually want to watch.
you should see a large black box where the video would normally be playing.
scroll to BENEATH that and hit the link that lets you copy the "embeddded" code for "sharing"
in the browser open a new tab and go to gmail.
compose a message to yourself and paste the embedded codes
send the message
wait until you get your own message
it should look just like the embedded codes you sent BUT with an active hyperlink in the middle
click the link and the video should load in a new tab

Posted by wrcousert Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

It works on my pc, but I get the same not supported message on my Nook Color.

Maybe we should get David Letterman to hassle them....

Posted by ianbordas Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

thanks for the tip!! worked for me!!!!

Posted by z_scorpio_z Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

Using the above embedded code, I created a php + shell script which does all the parsing and shows the clickable embedded link.

e.g.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/234070/jimmy-kimmel-live-air-traffic-controlle...

I append my server in the beginning

http://myserverip/index.php?url=http://www.hulu.com/watch/234070/jimmy-k...

and i get

http://www.hulu.com/embed/X0azcyD8uDljxW8FiLOO1Q
which you can then click and watch right away.

Posted by SSaywell Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I have already developed a number of apps for the PlayBook and am working on some more as we speak, I will look into creating a browser that will appear to websites as a desktop browser (Probs Firefox) although I don't think this will be easy. Also I will have to wait for the native DK. But hopfully you won't have to wait too long, I will be sure to let everyone that uses CrackBerry as soon as the app is in development and then live. :)

Posted by cwong15 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Hulu's business model consists of allowing free viewing while requiring a monthly paid subscription to view shows on mobile devices. Not blocking the PlayBook would blow apart this business model and wreck their income. This move is not surprising: their business depends on this.

On the other hand, I wonder how easy would it be to bypass their PB blocker with some custom JavaScript, such as with a bookmarklet? Can the PB browser use bookmarklets?

Posted by 312 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I say we all email them and threaten to cancel our subscriptions. I find it ridiculous as it is that I have to sit through commercials when I pay a monthly fee.

Posted by jermaine1082 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I already emailed and cancelled also cancelled my netflix today both companies have lost my business until they add some value to their lacking products. Will not waste money on bs companies any longer.

Posted by Stompy Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

I hope sites like nbc.com and fox.com work.

Posted by rstevenw Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Hulu seems to be working for me from within the http://uverseonline.att.net AT&T U-verse Online web site. You have to be an AT&T U-verse customer to get access.

Posted by gbsn Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA sh*t.... first at&t, now hulu, what the hEEEEEEEEEEEEE LLLLL

Posted by 312 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

Hi there,
Thanks for writing in! We, and more importantly, our content providers, do not have an agreement with BlackBerry to stream our services through that device at this time. Unfortunately we're legally and contractually obligated not to provide access. This could change in the future, though.
We'd be sorry to see you go, but we understand the value may not be there for you just yet. Hopefully you will keep an eye out for additions and improvements we make in the future. If there's anything I can do to make your Plus experience a better one, please let me know.
Thanks,
James
Hulu Support

-----------------

I have since cancelled my subscription.

Posted by thpsrulr Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

They need to take the commercials out of the Plus subscribers videos too! :)

Posted by stengel680 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

dang. i just got my playbook this morning and it worked. pfff. oh well.

Posted by TimOhio Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

netflix wont work either. it states that streaming is not supported for this device. I was looking fwd to streaming movies. what the heck!?

Posted by maxknux Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

This is probably to due with how Netflix streams its content which is via MS Sliverlight not Flash. I agree they should support the Playbook like they have support for iPad or iPhone. I think it will be a App for the PB.

But Hulu on the other hand its flash base streaming. Come on, the Playbook has flash so it should work. I can understand Netflix since Playbook does not have MS Sliverlight

Posted by SSaywell Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

If someone wants to send me a PlayBook - live in the UK so can't get one yet - or is willing to try/test a few things on there PlayBook for me I might be able to create an App that will allow you to watch Hulu videos.

Posted by hairydennis Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

No skin off my back here in Canada we don't get it anyways! BUT....I got mine today and one of the first things I did was start surfing Canadian TV network stations in the browser and all of their video plays on the Playbook. City TV even has an RSS feed you could get to alert you to new content!! Rdio, my favourite music service works in the browser, though not when place in the background. Still, the flash compatibility is pretty awesome. Can't wait to get an HDMI adapter to pump some of this video out to my TV. Once Netflix delivers an app, I might have to kill my cable account!!

Posted by Nojo73 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

well at least I got to watch an episode of Family Guy on hulu this morning before it went out!

Posted by ianbordas Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

This is just sad.. just got my 64gb today and was looking forward to using hulu... i'll try through direct channels (nbc, abc, etc)... will post how that goes... btw typing is AWESOMEEE on this beautiful PB!!!

Posted by Gamesdmc3 Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

smh,these companies need to stop all of these restrictions

Posted by PostMortem Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

That's pretty sad. I was using it yesterday and haven't tried today. It will be missed, but I don't really care about Hulu anyway. I haven't used it in over a year now (except yesterday-was just testing the PB to see how well it handled sites like Hulu). At least I know that it's not a PlayBook limitation, but a direct restriction put forth by Hulu.
My question is, did Apple report it to Hulu...? hahaha jk.

Posted by hazenjonas Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 400 days ago

This is crap. I didn't even use hulu before yesterday when I started using it on my Playbook. I was even watching a show earlier today. But now they have lost me as a customer forever.

Posted by Kennedy.L Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 400 days ago

cancelled my subscription.

Posted by jmarkey77 Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 400 days ago

Well, at least I got to watch a few shows before it was blocked. Oddly Xfinity (Comcast) has online content i can still watch from their site that has the Hulu logo on the video. Odd huh?

Posted by PLTM Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 400 days ago

I use hulu all the time to watch shows like Burn Notice, House, etc.... But Hulu dont control that content, the networks do. To watch House and other FOX shows, go to fox.com. To watch CBS shows, go to CBS.com. To watch USA shows, go to usanetwork.com.

Hulu is so stupid, that they dont realize that the more places people can use their product, the more their advertisers commercials are seen. There is no logical reason for hulu to block the PB except to boost their own egos.

Hulu can go **** themself. One less user they have now as i will no longer use their service. I will go to the networks, they not blocking the PB.

For fun, I created a page on my server, I embeded the show i wanted to watch using hulu embed code and watched it without an issue. Proves that their is no compatibility issue, just hulu acting like a *****.

Posted by jackgreen937 Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

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Posted by Skezza Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

Is this similar to Blackberry throwing their toys out of the cot with KIK??

Posted by thymaster Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

I don't understand why Hulu is taking a step backward to piss off their clientele while their competitor Netflix is expanding globally and support as many different console as possible. PS3 on Netflix is great hopefully it would come to Playbook soon since I'm not getting mind till June.

Posted by boris974 Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

someone can try hulu site with playbook

http://air-proxy.com

thx

Posted by 67Tucker Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

I can watch Hulu on my Thunderbolt...Wait, this isn't Android Central. Oops!

Posted by Me1King Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

I cancelled my subscription, its bad enough that you have to put up with commercials. If more subscribers do the same they will definitely work on a fix as soon as possible. They take money seriously.

Posted by lang007 Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

Why all the hate for the PB and the love for the Ipad?

Posted by blackcaneaddict Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

I thought the ipad had a app for that. Its not the same as beening able to access the service from the PB's browser.

Posted by KjKharismatic Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

Here's a cheer to Netflix! Never liked Hulu anyways..

Posted by SSaywell Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

I have created a App that should allow users to watch Hulu from there PlayBooks.

http://forums.crackberry.com/f243/hulu-app-unofficial-coming-soon-607214...

Waiting on RIM to accept it now.

Posted by wrcousert Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 399 days ago

XDA developers has a thread that discusses modifying the Android Flash player