Good or Bad? Delayed Gratification on the Internet

It took me a couple days to write this post so I could get over my devastation (just kidding, I'm being melodramatic.), but I might have mentioned that I a HUGE Battlestar Galactica fan. Every episode from season 1 to season 4.5 has kept me on the edge of my seat.

And we are now on the last season.

Battlestar Galactica airs on the SciFi channel on Friday nights at 10pm, and it is often hard for me to catch it at that time since I often work Friday nights. I do have a DVR for the first time ever, but I am often away from home and though I am amazed by the fact that some DVRs can be programmed from your computer or cell phone, I have not gotten that far with it. So when I can remember, I have my brother record the show.

Hulu, why have you forsaken us?

In this last season, even when I've worked Friday night and forgotten to have the episode recorded, I still have managed to watch the episode I missed on Saturday morning over the internet, apparently thanks to Hulu. However, this last weekend, I nearly tore my hair out trying to find the episode on the website, only to discover (on Twitter) that Hulu has decided not to air the last five episodes until 8 days after they air. That's one day after the next episode airs! Which makes me sooo behind on my favorite cliffhanger, and I'm not the only one who is upset.

Doesn't the internet = instant gratification?

Many of the great things about the internet is that it brings almost everything to your fingertips instantly. I thought it was so cool that I was able to see Battlestar the next morning, even if I hadn't recorded it. Am I missing something? Perhaps I'm blinded by Battlestar love, but I can't see any reason why this is beneficial for the SciFi Channel or Hulu. If someone can explain it, please do.

But I've also heard over Twitter that since they can't get it through Hulu, they are downloading the delayed episode illegally.

Personally, I'm just annoyed and frustrated, but maybe I'm wrong and there's a method to Hulu's madness because they just ranked #3 for Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies.