I often wonder to what extent these kind of sites understand that there are many people who will see this behaviour and think "Well, if that's what happens when I pay, I might as well just pirate".

It's undeniable that there are plenty of people who pirate because it's free, and because they can. But if legal, practical alternatives are to survive, even if it's only as they begin, the key shouldn't be profitability, it should be making sure customers enjoy the experience.

Of course, that then leads to Hulu's problem - trying to introduce a paid structure too much too soon.