Hulu, Amazon Try One-Upping Netflix: Will It Work?

Netflix shares are falling further today as rival Hulu is making its streaming service more appealing. The site, which is jointly owned by Disney, Comcast's NCBUniversal and 21st Century Fox, is now offering a commercial free subscription for $11.99 a month. Hulu's basic package is $7.99 a month, while Netflix's standard subscription is $8.99. The appearance of ads had been one of the biggest consumer complaints about Hulu. But with its new ad-free service, Epix pact and Seinfeld episodes, it could draw in more subscribers. Another selling point for Hulu is that it carries current seasons of a wide variety of shows, while Netflix does not. Netflix shares dropped in fast trade Wednesday. In Tuesday's session, the stock fell below the key 50-day line amid rumors that Apple has plans to get into the original content game. Netflix is on track for a fourth straight day of losses and is now 20% off of its Aug. 5 high. Netflix officially launched in Japan today as it continues to capitalize on international expansion. Amazon Video is soon launching in Japan. It's also trying to draw in more subscribers by allowing the download of Prime movies and TV shows to your phone or tablet so you can watch them offline, a feature that Netflix does not currently have.