OPINION: Web wars

By Paul Sweeting -- Video Business, 2/20/2009 12:48:00 PM

This week, Hulu.com, the Web TV joint venture between Fox-parent News Corp. and NBC Universal, broke diplomatic relations with its erstwhile distribution partner, TV.com, which is now owned by Fox- and NBC-rival CBS, by blocking access to Fox and NBC content on the CBS portal.

Days later, CBS fired back, insisting in a statement that it is “well within its rights to stream Hulu video content on TV.com under its agreement with Hulu” and warning that it is “evaluating [its] next steps.”

Meanwhile, Hulu also cut ties with Boxee, the home networking application that makes it easy for users to browse and access Web-based video through their TV sets using a TV remote.

In a blog post explaining the move, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said, “Our content providers requested that we turn off access to our content via the Boxee product, and we are respecting their wishes.”

So much for “coopetition,” apparently.

What’s behind the outbreak of hostilities?

It may be that Hulu has become too successful for its own good. Like Frankenstein and his monster, the broadcast networks that created it have grown fearful of its strength, and the townsfolk are demanding it be stopped, or at least tamed.

Loudest among the complaining townsfolk are cable operators.

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