Yesterday I got an Email from Hulu informing me that their apps will no longer exist, nor work, on Sharp Smart TVs. Obviously the money is moving to other type devices like Roku, or Chromecast, or even gaming systems such as the PS4 or XBOX One.
This is annoying because Hulu was free when I first got my Sharp Aquos 60 Inch HDTV. I upgraded to commercial free when it became an option for $11.99 a month, and yes, as a techy, I do have Roku. I have Chromecast units, I have smart Blu-ray players, and app supported video game consoles. That’s not the point. For the average consumer whose TV will no longer work without an investment, and hooking up other units, more remote controls, more crap it’s a disservice.
It’s also the second time in recent months that my various internet connected devices no longer run certain “paid” premium apps. There was obviously no reason to market “smart tvs”, if two years down the road, the applications which were bundled with the expensive television no longer operate or even exist. It would have been better marketing to just sell TVs with 10 HDMI inputs with options for onboard accessories like Chromecast or Roku.
It looks like Sharp doesn’t pay the fees related to getting the upgraded software (nor bothers to update their firmware with the latest app, if no fees are associated). That’s too bad. “Back to Samsung” is what I would say, but they no longer support Crunchyroll Premium Anime streaming apps. I can see this getting really messy in the next several years as the manufacturers and content suppliers fight it out.
It seems to me, the ultimate goal is an ala carte Streaming services to supplant cable TV, but once you factor in all the premium channels, and monthly fees, it’s probably going to cost more than 200 channels of cable, including the premium packages.
I’m out. I have to go rewire my Sharp Aquos for Hulu. Seems to me (my conclusion) that we don’t need smart TVs connected to the Internet. We just need HDTV monitors with a bunch of inputs for the gear running all of the apps (game consoles, Blu-ray players, Rokus, etc). One more way to go might be the Fire Stick at Amazon.
3 Comments
I have a sharp smart 65 inch TV and my Hulu live works perfect, so I don’t know what the problem is?
Bobby, your answer is most likely in the date of your post AND in the fact that you own a 65”. These two facts mean you most likely have a newer model (since 65” became a thing in recent years (before we actually had 60”)). In other words: You have a newer model with a newer firmware. Mine is a 2014 60” and no can do. No way to update the firmware, and no way to get Hulu on it. The only reason I’m not incredibly p!$$€d is because I decided to not fight the inevitable and bought me an Apple TV. It works pretty much with everything flawlessly. Peace. Raphael.
It reminds me of when they advertise a house with a “beautiful mountain view!” and then you move in and they build another house to block that mountain view they advertised… as long as they get their money they don’t give 2 sh**s about keeping their word down the road…