Viewers who stream network TV shows may soon discover the free ride is not so free.

Hulu, which attracted 31 million unique users in March under a free-for-all model, is taking its first steps to change to a model where viewers will have to prove they are a pay-TV customer to watch their favorite shows, sources tell The Post.

In fact, the move by Hulu toward the new model — called authentication because viewers would have to log in with their cable or satellite TV account number — was behind the move last week by Providence Equity Partners to cash out of Hulu after five years, these sources said.

And it’s not just Hulu making it tougher for cable-cutters to stream shows and other content.

Fox, owned by News Corp., which also owns The Post, is expected to begin talks soon with Comcast on a TV Everywhere deal that will require authentication. Plus, Philadelphia-based Comcast is expected to switch to an authentication model for this summer’s Olympic Games (see story at right).

The move toward authentication is fueled by cable companies and networks looking to protect and profit from their content.

The effort comes as entertainment companies continue to face drastic shifts in home viewing habits. Overall spending on home entertainment edged up 2.5 percent to $4.45 billion in the first quarter as a surge in digital streaming — which rose more than fivefold to $549 million — offset a continuing collapse in video rentals, according to Digital Entertainment Group.

Hulu, owned by News Corp., Disney, Comcast and Providence, could see its March audience, as measured by ComScore, shrink after authentication. Hulu racked up some $420 million in ad revenue last year and is expected to do well in this year’s ad negotiations.

But the move toward authentication, which could take years to complete, will make cable companies happy because it could slow cord-cutting by making cable subscribing more attractive.

Read on

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/tv_in_real_dime_ph0GiKk7rC9agDUEkHae2I#ixzz1tWUi6ZaY

If you're not happy about this, tell Hulu’s owners — Disney, News Corp. and Comcast, which respectively own ABC, Fox and NBC -- Go here and sign a petition

Wow, this is absolute bullshit. I signed the petition. This is double-dipping to the extreme.

I cut my cable about two years ago and was happy, but now this sucks.

Sounds like the same ole unwillingness to get with the times. Again, the issue would be moot if we could buy only the channels we want.

It's all such a crock. I called my cable company today and threatened to cancel. I now pay $40 a month less than I did before for the exact same service. Just goes to show you the profit margins they run.

How is this not an anti-trust issue?

I don't use hulu, but this is stupid. Let's be real here, if they do this someone is going to come along and come up with some other alternative.

In the UK right now, they're trying to draft a law that will require adults to register to view porn. All porn. Good luck with that. lol

What is the point in that exactly?

Registration fees? Who knows.

I am going to track anyone with a sexual appetite.Then we are going to sterilize them.