In a time when digital HD, cable, and satellite TV bring us thousands (that’s right: thousands) of different channels to choose from in our day-to-day viewing schedule, doesn’t it make sense that one of those channels should be dedicated to one of the most popular animated sitcoms in American TV history?

That’s what News Corp. is thinking, as they’re toying with the idea of bringing us an entire channel dedicated to The Simpsons. Here’s the speculative report from LA Times.

Noting that “The Simpsons” shows no sign of slowing down as it prepares to start its 23rd season on News Corp.’s Fox network, News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey said the company is starting to have internal discussions about how to create additional revenue streams for the animated hit that goes beyond reruns on TV stations and DVD sales.

Any effort at creating a platform just for “The Simpsons” may have to wait for the show to stop producing new episodes. Because the show is still in production after more than two decades, the rerun deals done years ago are still in effect. Once the show ends, so-called second cycle sales of repeat episodes can be sold. Although some shows might seem stale after 20 years, “The Simpsons” continues to be a solid performer.

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At first, Hulu seemed like a great idea and many trumpeted it as a new way to watch TV programming. Now, Hulu is up for auction and looks to be in real trouble.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, bidders don’t seem to be coming out of the woodwork to buy the online network and the deadline for bidders has been extended to this Friday. At the moment, companies like Yahoo, Google and Amazon are among those looking closely at the online streaming video service owned by News Corp, Disney, Comcast and Providence Equity Partners.

However, that doesn’t mean any of those companies have actually decided to move forward with a bid. They haven’t. Still, with bids expected to be as high as $1.5 billion-$2 billion, things may not be over for Hulu just yet.

Although, even if one of the companied does bid and Hulu is sold, that doesn’t mean it wil continue in its present form. Given the current state of its business, chances are it probably won’t. In fact, I would be surprised to see Hulu in existence in another three years.

Another potential nail in the coffin of traditional publishing was announced today as News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch revealed his company’s newest publication The Daily at a news conference this morning. This iPad only newspaper has been in the works for some time and today marks the first time consumers can actually get a look at it.

Here’s what you need to know: The Daily will be available only on the iPad to start and new issues will be available 365 days a year. In addition, The Daily will be interactive and feature 360-degree photos and original video content. Some articles will even be read aloud within the app.

The Daily app is available in the Apple App store now. It will cost you $0.99 per week or $39.99 for a one-year subscription. However, the first two weeks will be free thanks to a sponsorship deal with Verizon.

So, now that it’s finally here, who’s going to buy it?

The eventual death of all-things print just moved one step closer to reality with the news that the Rupert Murdoch backed digital and iPad only (At launch) newspaper The Daily is set to launch in January. At least according to Peter Kafka at MediaMemo.

While earlier reports were touting a December launch, it seems the staff working on the digital paper needed some more time to create their iPad app which will reportedly feature “lots of video” and “cool multimedia bells and whistles.” This includes, as you may guess, a really cool 3D effect that “lots of people are excited about.”

The Daily will be a daily iPad newspaper that will make sure of a new push delivery system from Apple. The digital newspaper will be delivered every morning to your iPad without you having to manually download it. That is, of course, if your iPad is connected to the Internet.

So, with this coming soon it begs the question: Will you read an iPad only newspaper? If so, how much would you be willing to pay for a subscription? Sound off in the comments.

We’ve been following this one closely here at The Flickcast because we’re big fans of Hulu and think it’s a great way to watch TV shows and movies you missed when they originally aired or to discover new shows. The service has many things going for it but one of its main attractions is that, at the moment, its free. You only have to watch a few commercials during a normal episode of a TV program, for example, and other than that, the service costs you nothing.

As we’ve discussed before, that may change in the near future. And now, Hulu is talking about yet another pricing model: charging users to watch episodes of 30 Rock, Modern Family and House. The move would mark a significant change for the site, which was launched nearly two years ago by a group of studios to distribute TV shows and movies via the Internet without charge.

According to reports, Hulu has spent the last several months trying to figure out how to balance what users expect to see for free with what they would be willing to pay for. Another plan being considered would allow users to view the five most recent episodes of TV shows for free but would require a subscription of $4.99 a month to watch older episodes.

Hulu believes it will need at least 20 TV series — both current ones and those no longer on the air — to make such a pay service attractive to users. A firm pricing model could emerge within six months. Well, at least they seem to be taking their time to figure out the right way to screw serve us.

Because I’m a big fan of Hulu, if true, the news that the service will begin charging viewers is very disappointing. Of course I realize that things cannot always be free, nor should they always be free. However, Hulu already has ads during its programming so it isn’t really “free” for the viewer. In many ways its just like broadcast television, only on the Internet.

My favorite part of the article, though, is the quote from News Corp.’s Deputy Chairman Chase Carey who said of the service: “I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value,” he said.

I guess he’s never actually visited the Hulu website and seen the ads? And really, who doesn’t love corporate speak? What he’s saying is that we won’t appreciate the value of something free until we pay for it? Sure, that makes sense.

Although, I guess in one way it is true. Once Hulu starts charging for content I, and I’m sure many others, probably won’t be watching its content anymore. So, it that respect I guess I will appreciate the value of it. . . once its gone.