FOX RESTRICTING ACCESS TO NEW TV SHOWS TO "AUTHENTICATED" PAY TV SUBSCRIBERS

Starting this fall, for the first eight days after they air, watching Fox TV shows online will require a subscription to Hulu Plus or a participating cable or satellite company. So far Dish Network is the first and only provider to sign up its customers for access to the new walled garden on Fox's site but others looking to fill out their TV Everywhere lineups probably won't be far behind. While pay-TV networks like ESPN with ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app and EPIX have already gone the "authentication" route, Fox is the first of the broadcast networks to do so. The new rules go into effect August 15th, then we'll find out if Fox is driving cable cutters towards paying for TV, piracy, or just ignoring the latest episode of Glee altogether.

RUMOR: MICROSOFT TO LAUNCH PREMIUM TV SERVICE

Multiple reports have Microsoft unveiling a premium subscription television service at this years E3 and that seems to support the claims Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s vice president for corporate communications expressed on his company’s blog earlier this week. Shaw stated that 40 percent of all Xbox activity didn’t involve gaming at all and that the average gamer watches 30 hours of video on their Xbox each month. While gaming might be the main activity for the majority of 360 owners right now, Shaw expects that to soon change. His claim may warrant merit if adding more content to the already plethora available on Xbox Live (Netflix, Hulu Plus, ESPN, Last.FM, etc) in the form of a television service is true.

The premium TV service has been reported on in the past and isn’t actually a secret but it seems that Microsoft may actually pull the cloth from over it and unveil it at this years Electronic Entertainment Expo. With Microsoft focusing to market it’s Xbox platform as an entertainment brand much like Sony markets it’s Playstation 3; Project Orapa is a bit more ambitious than anything Microsoft’s competitors are showing. Project Orapa is the codename used by Microsoft that would combine Xbox Live and Microsoft’s Mediaroom IPTV. Theoretically it could allow Microsoft to offer TV to Xbox Live customers and possibly even Windows Phone owners through use of an application.

HULU PLUS FOR XBOX 360 LAUNCHING TODAY; FREE UNTIL MAY 6TH

Hulu’s subscription-based Hulu Plus service will launch for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 on Friday, and here’s the best part: it’s free for Xbox Live (Gold and Silver) users until May 6th. After that you’ll have to drop $7.99 per month to kick back and watch your favorite shows from ABC, Comedy Central, FOX, NBC, MTV, and others. Hulu’s even adding Kinect support, which means you’ll be able to play, pause, fast forward, or rewind whatever you’re watching with your voice or with a gesture.

HULU PLUS LAUNCHES WITH PRICE DROP AND ADDS ROKU ACCESS

Hulu Plus officially launched yesterday with a price drop. The company announced Wednesday that it is bringing Hulu Plus out of preview for really real this time, and for $7.99 per month—a $2 price drop.

Hulu is undoubtedly trying to spur subscriptions after much Internet angst over the $9.99 per month price during the preview period. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said that the company would give credits to those users who had already subscribed for $9.99, and moving forward, new users will be paying only $7.99. New customers will also get a free week trial before they get charged, and existing subscribers will get two free weeks.

In addition to the price drop, Hulu and Roku also announced that Hulu Plus is now available on all new and existing Roku boxes. The companies said that this was coming, so it's not a huge surprise, but Hulu undoubtedly planned its official launch of the service to coincide with its appearance on Roku (which is giving away one free month of Hulu Plus with the purchase of a new device). The company said that its apps for the PlayStation 3, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Samsung would also get an update within the next week.

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HULU PLUS LEAVES BETA, AVAILABLE TO ALL WITH SUBSCRIPTION

Hulu Plus, a premium Web-based video streaming service, is now available to the public. Rob Wong, product director for Hulu Plus, made the announcement Thursday on the company’s blog, saying the service is now available without need for an invitation. Hulu provides a service that allows users to stream movies and TV episodes for free to computers. Hulu Plus, which costs $9.99 each month (there are rumors of a price drop coming soon), offers enhancements such as additional content and the ability to stream to more devices like Apple’s iPhone and the Sony PlayStation 3. Rumors suggest interest in Hulu Plus has been minimal though, thanks to widely available free content as well as subscription competition like Netflix’s Watch Instantly. Hulu claims to have had a successful closed beta period, however, and it will continue to expand the service to more devices during the current open preview period. [BGR]

RUMOR: HULU PLUS CUTTING PRICE

Hulu Plus was announced back in June with much promise and a $9.95/month price tag.  Now it is rumored that Hulu will be cutting that price almost in half to $4.95/month.  With the service still in private beta a price drop isn't that unusual, but it may signal an impeding launch.

Hulu Plus promises users the ability to stream full episodes all season long in addition to full series runs.  Content will be accessible from the computer, iPhone, iPad, some internet connected televisions, Blu-Ray players, PS3 and the Xbox 360. [Geek]