Hulu Deal With ITV UK Coming To A Conclusion
The much heralded deal between UK TV broadcasting network ITV and US TV on demand service Hulu is moving closer to a conclusion, it has been reported by Mediaweek.
The exclusive agreement, which could be signed as early as this month, will mean ITV gains a 25% equity stake in online service Hulu, which will be launched in the UK shortly and allow Hulu to screen full-length episodes of ITV shows in a UK launch which has been eagerly awaited by advertisers
It is beleived that both companies, who have declined to comment, already have a deal in place to distribute short clips of ITV shows, with a deal for the complete content nearly complete.
A source revealed that the firms have agreed a ‘happy compromise’ over who will sell advertising around ITV’s content, a stipulation central to the deal.
The purchase will also, says Media Week, secure the appearance of full-length ITV content on Hulu’s UK system. Hulu also has an agreement in place to show shorter-form programming and clips from ITV shows.
The agreement for ITV will enhance the broadcaster’s internet presence, allowing it to compete more forcefully with rivals Channel 4 and the BBC.
Channel 4 recently signed a similar deal with YouTube to stream its content on the popular video sharing site and the BBC is also trialling its iPlayer service on Freesat at the end of this month in anticipation of a full launch next year.
At present Hulu is a free service, and funded by advertisments. However, US reports are suggesting that Hulu may start to charge viewers a subscription charge next year.
If the deal goes forward Hulu plans to appoint its first UK chief executive, while Johannes Larcher, senior vice-president of international, will take care of its UK venture in the meantime.
Hulu’s UK launch was expected earlier this year following the demise of VoD service Project Kangaroo, which was backed by ITV, Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide, but it was halted in its tracks by competition regulators in February.
However, since then MSN Video and SeeSaw, created from the remains of Project Kangaroo, has launched, and we have the imminent launch of YouTube’s full length service around the corner.
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- Hulu Coming Soon Page Added To Help You Plan Your Online Viewing
Hulu is a good site worth checking out. I really enjoy their documentaries. The site will be really huge one day just as peekvvideo.com once was.