Probably not Netflix or Hulu. Anything that depends on MS Silverlight isn't
going to be easy to get to work.

So far it is just an application and in the early stages. Canonical is
working with OEMS and content providers. They did release the code and
it can be installed on computers by PPA. However, it is meant more for
use on TVs and other devices. It will likely connect your TV to online
services for web search and sell content through their own store. I
don't see it working with Netflix and Hulu right away.

I think that this is going to be a hotly fought war with Google and
Apple already entering the market, although Apple TV has thus far been
a bomb and Google has not exactly been gangbusters. MS will likely get
in on the action late as they always seem to do. Canonical thinks
their advantage in the cloud plus having a common interface on TV,
computer, tablets and smartphones will give them an edge. They say,
that they have tested it extensively. They also have the Ubuntu SC
which is already selling content (music and soon books and magazines
and later this year movies, apparently.)

Hear more here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104659991254860976283/posts

my ISP sometimes gives me an IP address which is "located" in
the USA. I have watched Hulu on such occasions. Has something changed in their
technology?

I'm not sure how Hulu does things but I would assume that with the paid
side of things, they'd likely need use some form of DRM (like Netflix uses
Silverlight) or the content providers wouldn't let them stream.

I can't get Hulu from Canada without going through a proxy server.

Hulu works fine for me on Ubuntu. In fact, Im listening to the audio right
now.

Yes. It does not work for copyright reasons in Canada. It will work in
Ubuntu in Canada because I have done it. However I need to use a proxy
server to trick it into thinking that I am South of the border.

Netflix is different. It needs Windows or at least Silverlight. I would use
Windows in a VM if I wanted Netflix but their product line has never
interested me.

I have also got Spotify to work from Canada via proxy server in Ubuntu.
Canada has all kinds of laws to protect Canadian content and US content
producers don't much care for how we alter their content without permission.

I see no problem with getting Hulu or Spotify elsewhere on Ubuntu, but
Netflix requires Windows natively or in a VM.

HULU is fine. It is just netflix that uses a MS-only-ish platform to
stream their Content. (I am adding the "ish" because I think MS ported it
to apple, but that is just recall from my very shaky memory (which is
pathetic even on good days)).

Yeah, I can watch netflix on my macbook.

Hulu has a desktop application that responds to remote control input.
Works well, but unless your screen is big enough, it's hard to read the
menus and titles from a distance.

http://www.hulu.com/labs/hulu-desktop