NPR

But this also feels like a tipping point for cable TV.

HBO has long been considered a top selling point for cable companies to keep subscribers from "cutting the cord" and dropping services. One survey in January by Parks Associates found half the people who said they would likely subscribe to a streaming HBO service would also cancel their pay TV subscriptions.

Just last month, DISH Network launched Sling TV, a service which offers online access to a small collection of ...read more

DAN BOBKOFF: Sony is thought to be working on a kind of virtual cable service that will let you subscribe to cable channels directly from its game consoles and TVs. All you need is a good Internet connection. Brett Sappington researches consumer technology with Parks Associates.

BRETT SAPPINGTON: They're looking to become the hub of the living room and not just in games but really on all aspects of entertainment.

BOBKOFF: The deal will be the first time a network owner l ...read more

On the other side, Yahoo is reportedly interested as well. It's looking to compete with Google, which owns YouTube. Bids have also come in from private equity firms, including Providence Equity, which is backing an offer from a former News Corporation executive.

Brett Sappington is with the market research firm Parks Associates.

BRETT SAPPINGTON: Depending on who acquires it, that could change the type of content that Hulu specializes in. It could also change the balance ...read more