Hulu Now Includes On-Demand Infomercials on Ad-Supported Plan
So I throw on Hulu last night and start scrolling through the menu and I’m smacked in the face with a show called “First-Time Buyer.” It’s labeled as an advertisement. When I click through, I see that it’s an 18-minute-long infomercial.
Out of sheer curiosity, I click through and I see a U.S. Bank Visa commercial before the show (which is a long commercial itself). Neat.
If you choose to watch “First-Time Buyer,” you’ll see a message before the program begins: “Paid Content by the National Association of REALTORS.”
As the episode begins, we’re introduced to Lizette Sinhart, a REALTOR who really hammers the emphasis on the “TOR” part of “REALTOR.” With a vocal fry, Lizette tells her new clients that she goes “beyond the search bar.” The internet can’t possibly help you as well as a member of the National Association of REALTORS! I’m convinced by this persuasive infotainment!
Although the couple makes an offer on a home, there’s a cliffhanger! Lizette has some bad news! And that cliffhanger leads to… another commercial break.
When we return, drenched with sweat from the stress of the cliffhanger, we discover the seller went with another offer. Lizette, her clients, and I are heartbroken.
Thankfully, Lizette harnesses her REALTOR powers and finds the couple a 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,900 square foot home for $800,000. True, it may be a bit tight considering the family consists of the couple, his elderly mother, two girls, and a dog.
But the house has a big backyard and the couple likes that, so Lizette tells them to make an offer $85,000 over asking. Thanks to Lizette’s shrewd negotiating by offering 10% over the list price against no other bidders, the couple succeeds in buying the home! That’s REALTOR magic, baby.
Even crazier, there are 5 seasons of this “First-Time Buyer” infomercial with a total of 40 episodes on Hulu.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m honestly impressed by the cash-grab. I’m paying $9.99/month for the privilege of watching ad-supported infomercials. Wild.
You can watch the full episode here:
YouTube has all episodes of the show if you’d rather sit through this garbage for free.
