Hulu going international soon

Hulu, the currently US-only online video service jointly run by Fox, NBCU and Disney, has begun signing content deals with international television producers, perhaps hinting at a global launch in the near future.

In under 18 months, Hulu has moved to become the third place video site online, behind YouTube and Fox Interactive, seeing 380 million clips viewed last month.

The main complaint with the service is the fact that it does not exist outside the US, but it appears Hulu is ready to expand the service to eight "leading broadcast markets."

�We�re having discussions in the top six to eight markets�we�re laying the groundwork,� noted Andy Forssell, senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution.

In the UK, Hulu has signed deals with Endemol (producer of Big Brother) and Digital Rights Group, which will bring episodes of Green Wing, Peep Show and Doc Martin.

The large Bollywood distributor Saavn has also signed a deal with the online video site.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 7 May 2009 21:01

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8 comments

kubapolak

That is really good news! Hopefully during the expansion the quality of the site and content will not be negatively affected.

8.5.2009 00:34 #1

bomber991

Allowing users outside the US would cut down on piracy. I've noticed on the bay that for some torrents, I was about to start downloading them but then read in the comments "This whole seasons on HULU, don't waste your time with this slow torrent!" And so I would go to hulu and be able to watch what I wanted to watch immediately. But then a few comments down "I don't live in the US, stupid HULU!!"

8.5.2009 09:54 #2

JayMaster

I have been waiting for this so I can throw it on my XBMC. there are no real good channels and any I look up all says to get or wait to get the HULU. can't wait.

8.5.2009 12:05 #3

slight

Well, there are already ways to watch Hulu from outside the U.S., but it would be nice if you didn't have to jump through hoops..

John Tantillo, a branding expert, publishes a weekly brand winner/loser post on his marketing blog. He writes that Hulu's success highlights the importance of a relevant environment to successful marketing (read: targeted marketing) on the web.

Full post on Hulu.

8.5.2009 14:32 #4

elliott

I read that post from your link, I have to agree. Hulu has taken what mostly CBS.com started first and moved it to a centralized location with compelling content, easy to navigate though that could still use some polish. Given advertisers a clean targeted market to advertise its a win win for everyone as a viewer your not bombarded with minutes of adverts and the sponsor can repeat and focus the message. We have contimplated cutting out our cable with HULU, CBS, ABC & FOX all offering such great quality now if we can just get HBO online subscriptions I would be totally locked in, gotta have my Bill Maher and True Bood.

8.5.2009 15:58 #5

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by elliott: I read that post from your link, I have to agree. Hulu has taken what mostly CBS.com started first and moved it to a centralized location with compelling content, easy to navigate though that could still use some polish. Given advertisers a clean targeted market to advertise its a win win for everyone as a viewer your not bombarded with minutes of adverts and the sponsor can repeat and focus the message. We have contimplated cutting out our cable with HULU, CBS, ABC & FOX all offering such great quality now if we can just get HBO online subscriptions I would be totally locked in, gotta have my Bill Maher and True Bood.You know you can get those shows from the torrents without having to shell out 10+ a month?

8.5.2009 18:51 #6

KillerBug

I just hope they start posting content on their own servers; right now most of the content I watch there is just links to other company's servers. Some shows, such as Nova, even take you to another companies website!

8.5.2009 22:49 #7

geofftop

spam removed

9.5.2009 15:18 #8

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