Hulu Introduces Itself to the Mainstream

I have said that Hulu on the TV would mark the true beginning of the demise of television. But this isn’t exactly what I meant.  Hulu, the magical online repository of free television and film, announced yesterday that they will air an ad during Sunday’s Super Bowl.

This is more exciting than most Super Bowl ads because it reveals something about where NBC sees themselves heading. NBC is airing the big game this year and is also the co-owner of Hulu (along with News Corp). As we all know, buying ad time during the Super Bowl ain’t like buying time on a parking meter. But apparently NBC sees some benefit in forgoing the several million dollars they could demand from an outside advertiser to promote their new platform (irony alert!).

What do they plan to use their precious 30 seconds for, you ask? An email sent yesterday didn’t reveal much. Quoth Hulu, “During Super Bowl XLIII this Sunday, look for the launch of Hulu’s ad campaign. Finally, we’ll reveal the secret behind Hulu.”

Mysterious!

Hulu has been open to the public since March of 2008 and though the site is steadily growing, it’s still unknown to many online Americans, even those considered to be relatively savvy. Sunday’s ad will surely introduce a whole new group of users to the site. Should be interesting to watch.

Any predictions on what the “secret” is? Comment it up!

···Thanks, TVWeek···

UPDATE

Here’s the ad (with a little ad before it).

What secret? I’ve always know Alec Baldwin is an alien.

All of the ads are available here.