{"id":580176,"date":"2010-05-26T20:12:21","date_gmt":"2010-05-27T00:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"tag:contentnext.com,2010-05-27:article\/419-fox-mobile-releases-hulu-like-mobile-app-with-25-content-partners-to-st"},"modified":"2010-05-26T20:12:21","modified_gmt":"2010-05-27T00:12:21","slug":"fox-mobile-releases-hulu-like-mobile-app-with-25-content-partners-to-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/580176","title":{"rendered":"Fox Mobile Releases Hulu-Like Mobile App With 25 Content Partners To Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

It’s not called Hulu mobile, but it probably should be. Fox’s Mobile Group has launched a mobile beta application that provides free access to full-length TV shows on your phone. <\/p>\n

The strangely named application is called Bitbop<\/a>, and quietly became available in beta as recently as today, a spokesperson confirmed. The service was expected to launch this spring, and since it’s being called a beta, things are still likely to change.  For now, users can sign-up for a trial on its web site and the application is free and compatible on four BlackBerry phones.\n<\/p>\n

It is practically a Hulu look-alike because it comes loaded with TV shows from 25 content partners, including Hulu’s joint venture partners News Corp (NYSE: NWS<\/a>). and NBC Universal (NYSE: GE<\/a>). While the catalog is not quite as extensive, other networks involved include: The Food Network, A&E, CBS (NYSE: CBS<\/a>), TLC, USA and MTV. <\/p>\n

Previously, Fox Mobile’s EVP of Global Products Joe Bilman told mocoNews that the application will be free, but in order to access to the whole catalog, a subscription will cost $10 a month. he said the service is expected to work over WiFi and 3G, and to support a variety of handsets, including the iPhone and Android-based smartphones. The web site only lists TV shows for now, but says movies will be coming soon. <\/p>\n

The line-up of TV shows is includes some of the best from the TV networks’ current line-up, including episodes from “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Glee,” “24,” but also older stuff, like the first episode of “Arrested Development.”<\/p>\n

It’s not entirely fair to say the service should be called Hulu Mobile. The big difference is that Bitbop is being produced by the Fox Mobile team, and not being co-developed by the partners that form Hulu’s independent management team. The other two obvious points is that it is a mobile service, and has a subscription service model from the start. The content owners are probably pleased to be able to try charging, rather than attempting an ad-supported model from the start and trying to charge later.\n<\/p>\n

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