It’s been pretty hard to avoid hearing about Hulu lately, and usually it’s about how great the video service website is or how you can supplement (some have even suggested cancel) your cable viewing.

Today’s Hulu buzz is not good news, though, especially for enthusiasts of the social media center app Boxee, which many users will note as a big reason they purchased an Apple TV. Boxee’s able to bring your digital media files and stream from websites like Hulu, Comedy Central, ABC and more, plus Netflix, in a slick user interface (and with devices like Apple TV, right to your big screen rather than just the computer).

Yesterday Hulu was given a request from its content providers (it’s co-owned by NBC Universal and News Corp., and lists 130-plus content providers) to pull its videos from Boxee, and Boxee complied, much to the chagrin of its users.

Even Hulu’s blog post noted: “While we never had a formal relationship with Boxee, we are under no illusions about the likely Boxee user response from this move. This has weighed heavily on the Hulu team, and we know it will weigh even more so on Boxee users.

“Our content providers requested that we turn off access to our content via the Boxee product, and we are respecting their wishes. While we stubbornly believe in this brave new world of media convergence — bumps and all — we are also steadfast in our belief that the best way to achieve our ambitious, never-ending mission of making media easier for users is to work hand in hand with content owners. Without their content, none of what Hulu does would be possible, including providing you content via Hulu.com and our many distribution partner websites.”

The post was quickly followed by 82 rather negative comments from Boxee faithful—though unfortunately Hulu seems to be acting as mainly the messenger in this move. The bigger question, aside from if Hulu’s providers are willing to work out some kind of compromise with Boxee, is how does this affect the other devices that grab Hulu, like ReQuest’s media server, or another third-party app like SecondRun.tv, which would bring Hulu to Microsoft’s Media Center?

Are you among those disappointed that Hulu had to bag Boxee? Returning your Apple TV now?

Via: Engadget HD

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!