Hulu v. Youtube

While both are online video sites, Hulu and Youtube have entirely different aesthetics, fit to serve their entirely different purposes. Youtube is based on user-generated content. The DIY aesthetic comes in part from initially lower production values as well as the technological aspect of restricted file size. With almost no barriers to entry, professional-quality videos are few and far between. Google has recently begun inserting advertisements before some videos, but in general content is free from commercial interruption.

Hulu, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. Setup by major networks in order to maintain their presence on the web, this site attempts to keep itself above the DIY fray of Youtube. It's interface is far less cluttered, it's videos are much higher definition, and the content is all professional-quality material put out by the networks. The advertising model is similar to that of broadcast television's. A commercial airs before you can begin watching, and then (in the course of a half-hour show) it breaks to commercial 3 more times (once at the very end).

I can't believe that Hulu has a particularly profitable business plan, but as a way of the Networks to get their content out there, it's a good idea. It maintains their presence in the digital age, while still making some money off of their digital content. If Hulu didn't exist, someone else would just be posting the content on Youtube for free.