Hulu Says PS3 Service Won't Require Paid PlayStation Plus Subscription 2

Streaming video service Hulu clarified that its upcoming Hulu Plus service for PlayStation 3 will not require users to be paying subscribers of Sony's PlayStation Plus premium online service. When Hulu confirmed last week that it would bring the new Hulu Plus service to the console for a $10 per month subscription, potential customers were concerned because Hulu's website indicated users would have to also sign up for Sony's $50 per year PlayStation Plus premium online service. Hulu said that's not the case. "With the launch of Hulu Plus there have been many rumors started and we are trying our best to remedy the situation," the company told VG247. "Specifically ... the Playstation Plus service is only a requirement during the preview period." The "rumor" that began came from a Hulu Plus early access participant who received the message on Hulu's official website, "Note: You must be a subscriber of the PlayStation Plus Network." But at the time, a Sony rep would not confirm the speculation. Hulu added in its statement, "Once the preview period ends you should be able to download the Hulu Plus app but that will still require the Hulu Plus subscription. Right now we are limiting the number of users but Hulu Plus will be launching to the public very soon so stay tuned." Hulu Plus gives paying subscribers more shows and more platform support than the free browser-based Hulu.com site. The paid service, coming to PlayStation 3 this month, also lets users view full, multiple seasons -- or in some cases all seasons -- of current and classic TV shows. Videos are displayed up to 720p resolution, Hulu said, compared to the maximum 480p for the free service. Hulu Plus is also coming to Xbox 360 in "early 2011," the company said. Initially-supported platforms include iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, which can access Hulu Plus through wi-fi and 3GS networks.