Hulu Improves User Interface, Increases Video Player Size… Customer Complaints Roll In

Originally published on WebTVWire.com – a TV Technology blog.

Hulu has changed its UI for those who watch video content on the Web. The changes are intended to improve the experience, but some users aren’t seeing it quite that way.

BIG Hulu Update

Hulu has rolled out a new version of the video player on its website. The biggest change is the default size of the player, with it being 55 percent larger than the old one.

This change in size has necessitated a few other, lesser changes. The background color (now a dark gray matte), the location of the video details (now underneath the video), and the hiding of several options behind a ‘More’ button.

This includes the option to view the content in a ‘Pop-Out’ player. Which is still there for those willing to look beyond their noses. Unfortunately people generally don’t take the time to absorb simple changes such as these before they let loose with the complaints. As has happened here.

Complaints Cometh

The official Hulu Blog post detailing these changes has 60 comments at the time of writing, the vast majority of which are complaints of one sort or another. Sadly most are complaining of the aforementioned loss of the ‘Pop-Out’ player, even though it still exists.

I like to call this Facebook Syndrome, as it happens every single time Facebook changes anything. And that happens a lot.

Bane Of My Life

Those who are complaining about the changes to the UI (which they have every right to, especially if they pay for Hulu Plus) should perhaps count themselves lucky that they can at least access Hulu and its programming in the first place.

Unfortunately I cannot access the Hulu website and see the player in action by conventional means due to the territorial rights licensing, which has been the bane of my online life for the past few years.

I’m sorry to repeat myself but until all media companies realize the Internet is a global phenomenon they will struggle to truly fight piracy.

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