Hulu unavailable through PlayStation 3

DIGITAL: Streaming video content blocked after software upgrade

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 6/29/2009

JUNE 29 | DIGITAL: Blogs and Twitter were buzzing Monday about the fact that sometime over the weekend, PlayStation 3 users were blocked from streaming video site Hulu to their TV via the console.

Sony reportedly updated PS3’s software this weekend, though Engadget reports that the update had nothing to do with Hulu being blocked, as PS3s without the upgrade also couldn't access the site. Before the weekend, users could use PS3's Web-browsing feature to navigate to Hulu and stream shows directly to the TV. Now they only see the message, “Unfortunately, this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience,” according to Gizmodo.

Neither Hulu nor Sony PlayStation representatives immediately responded for comment.

Earlier this year, Hulu blocked its service from the Boxee platform, which streams Internet video to the TV through the AppleTV, which many speculated was due to pressure from cable companies that feel threatened by the free video site.

And last month at the Wall Street Journal’s All Things D conference, NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker brushed off a question about why the site had blocked Boxee, saying “right now, we’re committed to Hulu being an online experience, and that’s where our vision is today, and I think that will continue.”