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Tag: Hulu

  • Tian Lim Joins Hulu As Its Chief Tech Officer

    Tian Lim Joins Hulu As Its Chief Tech Officer

    Much like Netflix, Hulu does a lot of work everyday behind the scenes to keep everything up and running. It’s none too surprising then that the company would be looking for some world class talent to lead its technology efforts. That talent is coming in the form of a man who helped build Sony’s PlayStation Network and Microsoft’s Xbox Live.

    Hulu announced today that Tian Lim would be joining the company as its Chief Technology Officer on March 2. As CTO, Lim will lead Hulu’s efforts as it scales up to meet the ever growing demand for its streaming services. The current interim CTO – Brad Suter – will stay on with the technology team and report to Lim.

    Before joining Hulu, Lim was the SVP of Product Engineering at Sony Network Entertainment International. At Sony, he helped build out PlayStation Network as not just a destination for games, but for movies and music as well. It was here that he first came into contact with Hulu as his team helped companies like Hulu and Netflix bring their streaming services to the PlayStation Network.

    Interestingly enough, Lin also worked at Microsoft in the Xbox division before joining Sony. During his time there, he led development of Xbox Live, the Xbox 360 operating system and Kinect.

    With that kind of background, it’s pretty obvious why Hulu chose him to head up its technology efforts. His experience in building out complex systems that serve millions of users everyday will be invaluable to Hulu as it expands to more markets.

    Image via Tian Lim/LinkedIn

  • Hulu Plus Adds Thousands of Classic TV Episodes Thanks to Expanded CBS Deal

    Hulu Plus Adds Thousands of Classic TV Episodes Thanks to Expanded CBS Deal

    An expanded licensing agreement between CBS and Hulu will nearly double the current and classic CBS TV content available on the streaming service.

    The deal adds 2,600 new episodes to Hulu Plus’ content library, brining the total to just over 5,300 CBS TV episodes.

    Like I said, this deal covers multiple decades of classic television. Here’s just a sampling of the shows that are coming to Hulu Plus as part of this deal:

    Cheers, Happy Days, Taxi, Laverne & Shirley, The Odd Couple, and The Brady Bunch.

    “With the newly expanded CBS content library, Hulu Plus subscribers will be treated to some of the most significant shows ever seen on television,” said Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins. “From ‘Happy Days’ to ‘Cheers’ and ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ these hit shows defined their eras, and we’re thrilled to offer full seasons to be enjoyed by new and loyal audiences anytime, anywhere.”

    Here’s more from Hulu:

    Viewers can discover some of the best shows of the 90s, including sitcoms like “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Wings,” beloved primetime soap “Melrose Place,” and hit family series full of valuable life lessons, “7th Heaven.”

    We’re also offering fantastic shows from the past decade, including award-winning series like Showtime’s “United States of Tara” and “The L Word,” hilarious coming-of-age sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” fan favorites “Ghost Whisperer,” “Jericho,” “Flashpoint” and “Ringer,” and reality shows “Undercover Boss” and “Australia’s Next Top Model.”

    As part of this expansion, there’s more content coming to Hulu Kids, including films starring timeless characters like Charlie Brown, Dr. Seuss, Puff the Magic Dragon and Strawberry Shortcake, among others.

    Speaking of that latter bit of content, Hulu recently added Sesame Street, SpongeBob, and a bunch more content for the kiddos.

    The announcement was made by new CEO Mike Hopkins, who was just named to his position back in October.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Pokemon Animation Is Now On Hulu Kids

    Pokemon Animation Is Now On Hulu Kids

    Do you want to be the very best? Perhaps even the best there ever was? Well, you may be a little too old for your own Pokemon adventure, but your children can now follow the adventures of the never-aging Ash Ketchum and his merry band of Pokemon friends on Hulu Kids.

    That’s right – Hulu announced today that it has entered into an agreement with The Pokemon Company to air the Pokemon animated series and full length films on Hulu Kids. Stating today, Hulu Plus subscribers can watch the first season of Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl, all four parts of Pokemon Origins and Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai.

    If you were once or still are a fan of the Pokemon, you might want to grab your kid and watch the four part Pokemon Origins special. It’s a retelling of the story from Pokemon Red and Blue with Red as the main character. Sure, it’s a little weird hearing people refer to a young boy as Red, but nobody seems to question the pun that is Ash Ketchum. Besides, who doesn’t want to watch Charizard punch a Blastoise in the face?

    If you make your way through all of Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl and The Rise of Darkrai afterwards, Hulu’s got you covered. In the coming weeks and months, the service will be adding the following movies – Giratina and the Sky Warrior, Arceus and the Jewel of Life, and Zoroark: Master of Illusions. My personal favorite among the three is the Arceus movie, but all three are quality entertainment for the little Pokemon trainer in your life.

    Following the movies, Hulu Plus will also add the first two episodes of Pokemon The Series: XY. This latest series introduces Ash to the France Kalos region and all the new Pokemon it contains.

    Oh, and if you don’t have Hulu Plus, you can still enjoy the Pokemon Origins special. You can also watch five episodes from Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl.

    Image via SlowkingGaming/YouTube

  • Hulu Will Make $1 Billion In 2013 Thanks To Its 5 Million Subscribers

    Hulu Will Make $1 Billion In 2013 Thanks To Its 5 Million Subscribers

    After a year in which it was almost sold, Hulu is doing better than ever thanks to the guidance of a new CEO and a stronger focus on new and original content. All of that has helped to catapult the video streaming service to new heights and it expects to pass a significant milestone before the end of the year.

    Hulu announced today that its business is doing better than ever and that it expects to bring in $1 billion in revenue before the year is over. It’s quite an increase from last year when the service only pulled in $695 million over the course of 2012.

    Hulu Will Make $1 Billion In 2013

    So, how is Hulu bringing in all that money? The main reason behind its continued success is that it keeps on adding more subscribers to Hulu Plus. In 2013, it reached 5 million subscribers – a significant number. Hulu attributes this rise in subscribers thanks to the numerous devices Hulu Plus is now on, including the Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo 3DS, Chromecast and more.

    Hulu Will Make $1 Billion In 2013

    As Hulu Plus comes to more devices, we may very well see subscription numbers rise even more. After all, 50 percent of all Hulu Plus subscribers exclusively stream on devices, instead of via a Web browser. Over half of its video content is also viewed in the living room so there’s definitely a demand for Hulu Plus on devices that bring the viewing experience to the TV.

    Besides subscribers, Hulu was able to bring in $1 billion this year thanks to an increase in advertising. The service now boasts over 1,000 brands – a 15 percent increase over last year. This helps Hulu custom-tailor ads to viewers which leads to far more engagement. In fact, Hulu says that it streamed more than 1 billion ads in each quarter last year, and that viewers watched 50 minutes of content on average in Q4. That’s a lot of advertising, and as such, Hulu was number one in engagement among ad supported online video sties throughout all of 2013.

    Of course, all of this would mean absolutely nothing if it wasn’t for Hulu’s push for new and original content. Hulu notes that it’s the only place where people can watch current season content from five of the six largest U.S. broadcast networks and hosts seven out of the top 10 primetime TV shows. Aside from content from broadcasters, Hulu also aired over 20 original series with many performing incredibly well on the service.

    Oh, and as for Hulu Japan, it’s doing better than ever. The company notes that it has more than doubled the number of subscribers since the beginning of the year. The massive rise in subscribers could have something to do with the fact that Hulu Japan now offers more than 12,000 “assets” of TV dramas and film, and is available on a variety of devices in the country, including smartphones.

    Looking into the future, Hulu says that it expects to invest in more original content and network TV shows that its users want to see. With this, it expects to see even more growth as it continues to do battle with its major rivals at Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.

    Images via Hulu

  • Hulu Gets Sesame Street, SpongeBob, and a Bunch More Kids Content

    Hulu Gets Sesame Street, SpongeBob, and a Bunch More Kids Content

    The Hulu Kids section of Hulu Plus just got a lot better at entertaining your little ones.

    Starting today, Hulu Plus subscribers will have access to ton of new content from Lionsgate Kids, Sesame Workshop, Nickelodeon, Jim Henson Family TV, PBS Kids, and more.

    Some notable titles to excite your tykes include SpongeBob Squarepants, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There’s also a handful of Spanish-language shows included to the new offerings.

    Here’s a list of some of the titles available today on Hulu Kids:

    • “Sesame Street”
    • “The Electric Company”
    • “Fraggle Rock”
    • “SpongeBob Squarepants”
    • “TMNT”
    • “El Mundo de Elmo” (Spanish-language)
    • “Plaza Sesamo” (Spanish-language)
    • “The Electric Company”
    • “Pinky Dinky Doo” (English and Spanish-language)
    • “Care Bears: Adventures in Care-A-Lot”
    • “Strawberry Shortcake”
    • “Thomas and Friends”
    • “Bob the Builder”
    • “Bratz”
    • “Angelina Ballerina”
    • “Barney”
    • “Fireman Sam”
    • “Welcome to Care-A-Lot”
    • “Maryoku Yummy”
    • “Twisted Whiskers”
    • “Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit”

    “Kids are starting to take control of their viewing–they know what they love to watch, and once they find that favorite show or character, they’re hooked, and they’ll watch it over and over and over again. Today, we’re adding an exciting selection of kids programming to Hulu Kids on Hulu Plus, which makes it easy for children of all ages to watch their favorite shows in a safe, commercial-free environment,” says Hulu’s Rodrigo Mazon.

    Hulu says this is for “kids,” but I know plenty of adults who love a good SpongeBob marathon.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Hulu Brings Free Video to Mobile…But Only Clips

    Hulu Brings Free Video to Mobile…But Only Clips

    Hulu has just announced that they are bringing free videos to your mobile browser – available to watch without a Hulu Plus subscription and without signing in to anything.

    That’s the good news. The bad news is that they’re only offering short clips.

    “The mobile browser on our phones and tablets has become one of the most convenient ways to take a break. Today, we are proud to announce that you can now watch free Hulu clips on your mobile browser by going to hulu.com.

    In the free Hulu clips available through mobile devices, you’ll find a curated collection of TV’s best moments, hand-picked & crafted by our editorial team just waiting for you to snack on. It is a daily portal of what’s going on in TV, pop culture and news, all in the form of easily watched clips. This new offering is available free of charge and you do not need to login! Just type in hulu.com on your phone or tablet browser, and you’re all set to enjoy the best of TV instantaneously,” says Hulu Senior Product Manager Karan Nischol.

    When you land on hulu.com on your mobile browser, you’ll now see a new “Trending Now” page where you can catch up on popular clips from recent broadcasts.

    If you want to watch the full episodes, you’re going to have to sign up for Hulu Plus – and that has to be part of Hulu’s thinking here. Free online clips give viewers a taste, and they hope the taste is enough to make them want the whole meal.

    Still, it’s nice to be able to catch up on some of the biggest moments from recent episodes of some popular TV shows. At least now people will have another way to make sure they aren’t left out of the water cooler conversation.

    Image via Hulu Blog

  • Hulu Plus For iPhone Gets Chromecast Integration

    Hulu Plus For iPhone Gets Chromecast Integration

    Earlier this month, Hulu Plus announced that Chromecast integration had finally arrived for its iOS and Android apps. It was great news for those who had been waiting for Hulu Plus to join the Chromecast party, but there was one little problem – the iOS app only supported Chromecast integration on the iPad.

    The Hulu Plus-loving iPhone owner can now dry those tears, however, as the official Hulu Plus iOS app was updated today to include Chromecast integration on iPhone. To be more specific, any iPhone running iOS 6 and up can now beam their Hulu Plus content from their phone to their TV via Chromecast.

    With Hulu Plus and Netflix fully supporting Chromecast now, it leads one to wonder when the other big players in streaming video will join. Back in July, both Vimeo and Redbox Instant announced their intention to support Google’s streaming device, but both services have yet to add official support.

    There’s also the curious case of HBO Go not announcing any plans yet. You would think that HBO would want to get its streaming service on as many devices as possible, especially the top-selling Chromecast. There’s already an app for iOS and Android, and integrating Chromecast into its app shouldn’t take that much work. Still, HBO moves at its own pace, and it may take a while for it to add Chromecast support.

    Outside of that, we’re still waiting on the ability to play local content via Chromecast, but that functionality is still probably a few months away from becoming an official reality.

    Despite a few gripes, the Chromecast is still a great little device for those who want to watch the best the Internet has to offer on their television. It’s even better now that iPhone users can finally stream Hulu Plus onto their televisions. If that sounds appealing to you, you can grab the latest Hulu Plus app for iOS here.

    [Image: Hulu]

  • Fox’s Mike Hopkins Is Your New Hulu CEO

    Fox’s Mike Hopkins Is Your New Hulu CEO

    As expected, Hulu has just announced that Mike Hopkins will be the new CEO.

    “The sky is the limit for Hulu,” he said in an email to the Hulu team.

    Here’s a (very) brief rundown of the Hulu CEO situation. Back in January, then-CEO Jason Kilar announced the he would step down at the end of Q1. In March, Hulu tapped their SVP of Content Andy Forssell to act as interim CEO. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Hulu was close to appointing Hopkins as the new CEO – a report that has now proved accurate.

    Hopkins comes over to Hulu from FOX Networks, where he served as President, distribution. Here’s what FOX Networks has to say about him:

    “A veteran Fox executive, Mr. Hopkins has played a key role in helping Fox Networks experience tremendous growth. He was instrumental in Fox’s landmark retransmission consent and channel carriage agreements with Time Warner Cable, DISH Network, Cablevision and DirecTV, as well as the successful launches of several networks, including BTN (formerly Big Ten Network), National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, FUEL TV, FOX College Sports, and FOX Soccer Plus. He was elevated to President in July 2008 after serving as General Manager and Executive Vice President of Affiliate Sales.”

    Here’s the email than Hopkins sent out to the Hulu team in its entirety:

    Hello Hulu –

    While I have been on the Hulu board for a few years and have worked with some of you before in that capacity, I am thrilled to be joining the Hulu team as the new CEO. The official announcement will be going out shortly, but I wanted to make sure to share the news directly with you all first.

    I want to thank Andy Forssell for his incredible work and tremendous leadership. His imprint on the company is, and always will be, immeasurable.

    I am really excited about my new role. You are a remarkable team. You have built a product and brand that has earned its place among the top tier of consumer technology companies. You have built a product and service that your customers (users, content owners, and advertisers) simply love.

    People love Hulu because the product is fantastic. This is a testament to the engineering excellence and product development focus that is so much a part of the DNA here at Hulu. You continue to innovate every day. For these reasons, and so many others, I am proud to be a part of the next chapter for Hulu.

    The fact is, through all the recent uncertainty not only have you kept this business together, but you’ve continued to deliver on every key performance metric. In fact, you are delivering one of the strongest years Hulu has ever seen: We expect revenues to be close to a billion dollars this year, and Hulu Plus subscribers continue to climb.

    With the foundation you have built, the significant capital infusion of three quarters of a billion dollars, and our partners aligned and fully supportive of what we need to get it done, the sky is the limit for Hulu. I am looking forward to working with you all.

    I can’t wait to get started and meet you all in person.

    -Mike

    Image via Broadcasting Cable

  • Hulu Plus Makes Its Way To The Nintendo 3DS

    Hulu Plus Makes Its Way To The Nintendo 3DS

    The Nintendo 3DS is becoming to go to handheld for games everywhere these days thanks to a string of hit titles, like Pokemon X/Y, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. Now players can also enjoy the latest and greatest TV shows on the 3DS’ 3.5-inch display.

    Nintendo announced this morning that Hulu Plus is now available on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. The free app has all the features of the Hulu Plus app on the Wii U, but on a decidedly smaller screen for on-the-go viewing wherever there’s a Wi-Fi connection.

    Hulu Plus is just the second video streaming platform to hit the Nintendo 3DS. Netflix has been on the handheld since 2011, while other services, like Amazon Instant Video, continue to abstain from the device despite being on the Wii U. That may change soon, however, as the addition of Hulu Plus may signal a push on the part of Nintendo to get more video streaming options on the 3DS.

    Why would Nintendo need video streaming options on a handheld that can sell itself on the quality of its games alone? The company makes a big to do in the press release about the launch of the 2DS – the new $130 handheld in the 3DS family. It’s being sold as the cheap way to get kids and non-gamers into the world of Nintendo handhelds, and some parents would obviously question the value of a 2DS over a tablet. With an improved range of multimedia options, parents might be more inclined to buy the 2DS so their kids can have both Hulu Plus and Pokemon.

    If you want to know more about Hulu Plus on Nintendo 3DS, check out Hulu’s landing page for it. New subscribers can get a one-month free trial.

    [Image: Hulu]

  • Hulu Steps Up Its Game With BBC Programs

    Hulu Steps Up Its Game With BBC Programs

    If one has been on the internet for any amount of time, particularly in such fandom-dominated spaces as Tumblr, one has certainly encountered the wide-spread fascination with much of the British Broadcasting Corporation (or, as it is much more commonly and affectionately referred to, the BBC) and its content. Fans of such favorites as Sherlock, Doctor Who, and Torchwood will be gleeful to hear that they will now be able to get their fix of delightful British television from yet another source– Hulu.

    The video-streaming website, which offers the option of paying per-month for ad-free content or limited streaming for free with advertisements, is stepping up its game after striking a deal with BBC that will allow it to add about 144 titles (which translates into about 2000 episodes of content) to its library selection. The deal includes such fan-favorites as Torchwood, Merlin, Downton Abbey, Misfits, Sherlock, and, of course, the revived cult classic that is Doctor Who, as seen in Hulu’s announcement of their new goods, displayed above.

    The BBC is not exclusively making deals with Hulu, however. The station has made deals and plans with both Amazon and Netflix, not at all shy about throwing its weight and potential around. Hulu, however, does not seem displeased with these circumstances. After months of stagnation and “limbo on the auction block,” Hulu’s chief executive Andy Forssell has said that Hulu is ready to “…kick back into action! …This is us doing a bunch of stuff that we’ve really wanted to do and had been put on hold for a while.”

    Just as Hulu isn’t complaining about BBC’s lack of commitment, so to are BBC fanatics not complaining about yet another source for their British television tendencies. With yet more ways to gain access to their beloved telelvision shows, it will be interesting to see how Hulu’s stake in the BBC game will effect Amazon and Netflix as they vie for the attentions of the Doctor Who and Sherlock fandoms. Or, as it’s known in many circles, Tumblr.

    Image courtesy of the official Hulu website.

  • Amazon And Hulu Have New Original Shows In The Works

    Amazon And Hulu Have New Original Shows In The Works

    While Netflix has received a lot of attention for its original shows throughout the year (including fourteen Emmy nominations and a much talked-about speech from Kevin Spacey last week), don’t forget, it’s online streaming competitors are gearing up to offer more original content as well.

    Two of those competitors – Amazon and Hulu – both have new projects in the news today.

    Amazon announced that it is greenlighting a pilot for a new original children’s series called Maker Shack Agency, which is being produced by Electus Studios. Here’s how Amazon describes it:

    Maker Shack Agency follows the exploits of 13-year-old inventor Angus Wolfe, aka “Wolfie,” and his two best friends and fellow “makers,” Jo and Merle, in the hardscrabble town of Akron, Ohio. These three teenage thinkers and tinkerers use all the branches of science and personal ingenuity to solve their client’s problems by making a new invention every episode. Together, they make people’s lives better by coming up with science and technology-inspired inventions for their various problems.

    Deadline reports that Hulu and Lionsgate have teamed up on a thirty-minute comedy series called Deadbeat. It comes from co-creators Cody Heller and Brett Konner, as well as Lionsgate TV and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Hulu reportedly ordered ten episodes, and it will debut next year on both Hulu and Hulu Plus.

    Deadbeat is apparently about a medium who helps ghosts settle unfinished business.

    Image: Amazon Studios

  • Hulu Debuts New Original Series “Run”

    Hulu Debuts New Original Series “Run”

    While Netflix gets most of the glory for introducing original shows for its members, they aren’t the only streaming video service that makes their own programming. It may also be true that Hulu originals don’t get the same amount of buzz as Netflix shows do; although, securing a show like Arrested Development has a way of increasing one’s Q rating. It should also be noted that the Further Adventures of the Bluth Family is a known commodity, whereas shows like House of Cards, Mako Mermaids, Hemlock Grove and Orange Is The New Black are not, and each of these originals has had varying levels of critical success.

    For their part, Hulu has created a number of original shows for viewers to pick from, and while none have achieved the same level of popularity as the Netflix competition, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your time, especially with the debut of Hulu’s latest original, Run. The premise of Run is as follows:

    “Run” paints a dark, gritty picture of the underside of modern-day London. This four-part series weaves together seemingly unconnected characters into a harrowing – but ultimately life-affirming – tale of urban life.

    As you may have noticed in the lead image, Lennie James of Snatch and The Walking Dead fame is apart of the story being told in Run, and that should be all the motivation you need to at least check out the episode he stars in (the third one).

    The show’s presentation involves four episodes, each one focusing on a different character. If you’ll notice the description says “seemingly unconnected,” which means the characters are totally connected to each other, something that will be revealed as the episodes play out. If you’re interested in giving Run a go, you can do so without a HuluPlus account, meaning it’s free. All four episodes have already been posted, so you don’t have to wait to see how it ends.

  • Hulu Plus Joins The Growing Number Of Services Coming To Chromecast

    Hulu Plus Joins The Growing Number Of Services Coming To Chromecast

    Last week, Google surprised everyone with the announcement of Chromecast. It’s a little dongle that plugs into your TV via HDMI and delivers video content straight to your television with little to no hassle. The device launched with support for YouTube, Netflix and Google Play media, but that’s quickly changing.

    Variety reports that Hulu has confirmed that it’s “working with Google to bring Hulu Plus to [Chromecast].” The company says its part of their efforts to ensure that their users can access “their favorite TV shows anytime, anywhere, on any device.”

    Hulu Plus joins the other video services that have already pledged to support Google’s new streaming device. Earlier this week, both Vimeo and Redbox Instant said that they would be integrating Chromecast support into their iOS and Android apps. Other services like Plex and HBO Go have said they’re looking into supporting Chromecast, but it’s pretty much a given that both will eventually come to the device.

    These services will be coming to Chromecast sooner or later, but perhaps you can’t wait. You have a Chromecast plugged into your TV and are already growing tired of watching Munchie for 38th time on Netflix. Well, you can always broadcast your Chrome browser tab to your TV and watch Hulu Plus that way. Hulu is totally fine with it, but wants to get native Chromecast integration out the door so its users can take advantage of smoother playback.

    When all these services natively support Chromecast, it may just be the video streaming device to own. It’s going to be hard for Apple TV and Roku to compete with a device that has all the same features, but only costs $35.

  • Hulu Won’t Be Sold, Its Current Owners Will Just Throw Cash At It Instead

    Hulu Won’t Be Sold, Its Current Owners Will Just Throw Cash At It Instead

    By all accounts, Hulu is a pretty decent service. It sucks that you have to watch ads even with a Hulu Plus subscription, but it’s oftentimes the only place to watch the latest TV shows whenever you want. It’s the kind of service that companies would want to own, but its current owners aren’t letting go just yet.

    Disney, 21st Century Fox and NBCUniversal announced today that they are taking Hulu off the market. The three had been previously searching for a buyer to take the service off of their hands, but they ultimately decided it was in their best interest to retain ownership. As part of this decision, the three owners have also agreed to pump $750 million into Hulu.

    “We believe the best path forward for Hulu is a meaningful recapitalization that will further accelerate its growth under the current ownership structure,” said Chase Carey, President and Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Fox. “We had meaningful conversations with a number of potential partners and buyers, each with impressive plans and offers to match, but with 21st Century Fox and Disney fully aligned in our collective vision and goals for the business, we decided to continue to empower the Hulu team, in this fashion, to continue the incredible momentum they’ve built over the last few years.”

    We know Hulu’s owners are keeping it, but why did they suddenly decide to take it off the market? One potential reason could be that Hulu is doing pretty well for itself these days. The company’s latest quarterly report showed that it has over 4 million paying Hulu Plus subscribers on top of its millions of free users that watched over 1 billion videos in only three months. Those billion videos translates to a lot of ads and a lot of ad dollars.

    Hulu CEO Andy Forsell said just as much in the company’s quarterly report:

    “According to comScore, Hulu is #1 in engagement among top ad supported sites. Hulu viewers stay with us for 45 minutes per session—without fast-forwarding or skipping ads. Hulu is also #1 in market share of all premium online video providers, delivering 1 in 3 of all premium video ads in the U.S. Our reasonable ad load drives the highest recall and awareness for brands, which results in higher effectiveness for the video ads.”

    With this latest round of cash, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hulu investing in even more original content. It already has a number of original series from the BBC and SNL alums, and it also recently revived All My Children and One Life to Live.

    All of the above proves that there’s plenty of potential left in Hulu. It’s owners just have to let that potential flourish.

    [h/t: Engadget]

  • Netflix Loses Ground to Other Streaming Services – But Not Much

    Netflix Loses Ground to Other Streaming Services – But Not Much

    Subscription-based streaming is on the rise, Netflix still leads the pack – but it’s lost just a bit of its stranglehold.

    That’s the word from NPD, who just published their VideoWatch VOD report for Q1 2013.

    According to NPD, the number of viewers using subscription services to stream television shows (think Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Instant Video) rose dramatically – 34% as compared to the figures from the same period in 2012.

    Netflix still dominates the market with an 89% market share – but that’s actually down 4% from last year. That means that Hulu and Amazon Prime Instant Video are both gaining ground.

    “There’s no doubt that Netflix is driving the growth in SVOD, particularly with increased attention to television programming,” said Russ Crupnick, senior vice president of industry analysis at NPD. “We are also seeing good gains in the streaming numbers from Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime, and while neither pose an immediate threat to Netflix it is interesting to see which services later adopters will try.”

    The biggest gains go to Hulu, which grabbed 3% of Netflix’s streaming TV share (up to 10% from 7%). Amazon Prime Instant Video gained 1% (up to 2% from just 1%).

    And it looks like people are choosing to subscribe to multiple services. A year ago 76% of viewers just used Netflix – nothing else. Now, that number has fallen to 67%. 10% said they stream using both Netflix and Amazon, while 8% said they stream using both Netflix and Hulu.

  • Hulu Touts 4 Million Hulu Plus Subscribers, Revenue and Streaming Records in Q1

    Hulu Touts 4 Million Hulu Plus Subscribers, Revenue and Streaming Records in Q1

    According to acting CEO Andy Forssell, Hulu is had a hell of a start to 2013.

    In a blog post, Forssell says that Hulu set a new record for revenue in Q1, and that for the first time ever, Hulu users streamed over 1 billion videos in a single quarter. Coming of a year when subscription to Hulu Plus doubled, Forssell says that Hulu’s premium service topped 4 million subscribers in Q1.

    Forsell also has this to say about where Hulu users are streaming content:

    “Mobile viewing is growing at a significant rate and will account for approximately 15% of Hulu’s consumed videos in 2013-2014. For context, mobile viewing was nonexistent on our service only two years ago. Living room viewing is also growing; it currently accounts for 29% of Hulu’s content consumption, and 80% of Hulu Plus subscribers have watched with someone else.”

    With stats out of the way, Forssell went on to announce two new Hulu original series, Quick Draw and East Los High. The former is “a comedic half-hour western set in 1875 that centers on a Harvard-educated sheriff and his quest to introduce the emerging science of forensics to an unruly Kansas town,” while the latter is an all-Latino cast English language drama set in an inner city high school.

    These new series joins nearly a dozen Hulu exclusive series heading to the service this summer. Also, Hulu just launched new seasons of All My Children and One Life to Live.

    Of course, much of this patting itself on the pack is a direct pitch to advertisers. Mainly, “Look! We have 4 million Hulu Plus subscribers who are paying to see your ads!”

    “Our advertising mission is to be the world’s most effective video advertising service, and we are well on our way. According to comScore, Hulu is #1 in engagement among top ad supported sites. Hulu viewers stay with us for 45 minutes per session—without fast-forwarding or skipping ads. Hulu is also #1 in market share of all premium online video providers, delivering 1 in 3 of all premium video ads in the U.S. Our reasonable ad load drives the highest recall and awareness for brands, which results in higher effectiveness for the video ads,” says Forssell.

    But it’s a strong pitch, especially for a company that is in a highly-competitive industry. The streaming video sector is booming, and Hulu is staying above the fray and setting records.

  • All My Children & One Life to Live Return on Hulu

    All My Children & One Life to Live Return on Hulu

    Two years ago, ABC canceled the long-running soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live, citing “extensive research into what today’s daytime viewers want and the changing viewing patterns of the audience.” Despite ABC’s “research,” plenty of viewers were upset by the announcement.

    Just a few months ago, we got word that the two programs were being resurrected and would later launch on Hulu and iTunes. Today, Hulu has made it official.

    “We’re thrilled and honored to carry on the tradition with the return of beloved soaps “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” with new episodes on Hulu and Hulu Plus starting today,” says Martin Moakler, Hulu’s Social Community Manager.

    “I know it was a long wait,” says Cady McClain, who plays Dixie Cooney Martin on the show.. “I know there have been a lot of ups and downs. I just want to assure the fans that it feels like another era of golden years for this show. It’s truly the best that ‘All My Children’ is and can be again.”

    “I’m very excited and feel super lucky to be here right now,” she says. “The story and sets are incredible. There are so many surprises coming. I can’t wait to watch it myself!”

    Hulu knows that some of the soap opera crowd may not be totally familiar with Hulu, or online streaming in general. So they made this video full of soap stars to educate the uninitiated:

    You can watch All my Children here and One Life to Live here. Are you excited to have these two classic soaps back?

  • Hulu Adds TV Shows Within TV Shows To Its Lineup

    Hulu Adds TV Shows Within TV Shows To Its Lineup

    There is a lot of quality television within television. For example, The Simpsons introduced us to the colorful antics of Itchy and Scratchy many years ago. More recently, Queen of Jordan has taken the world by storm in 30 Rock. Now all these shows are coming to one place.

    Hulu announced today it has acquired all the classic TV shows within TV shows that you love. It all starts with a celebration of the 85th anniversary of The Itchy and Scratchy Show. Hulu says that it has acquired almost all 63,764 episodes of the long running TV show, with only seven episodes being banned for “nonviolence, understanding, and helping.

    The other shows coming to Hulu include Inspector Spacetime, MILF Island, Mock Trial with J. Reinhold, Ya Heard? with Perd, Queen of Jordan, Space Teens, and Numberwang.

    Hulu isn’t just adding notable TV shows to its lineup today as it has also acquired the classic direct-to-TV film – The Rural Juror. The film, starring Jenna Maroney, is a seven-hour epic that rivals any John Grisham novel adaptation.

    All of this is Hulu’s April Fools’ Day prank, but the site really is hosting most of this content today. Now’s your chance to watch all the best episodes of Itchy and Scratchy if you find yourself missing one of the greatest TV shows within a TV show ever made.

  • 693 Star Trek Episodes Are Now Free on Hulu Until the End of March

    693 Star Trek Episodes Are Now Free on Hulu Until the End of March

    In honor of William shatner’s birthday (he’s 82 today), Hulu is looking to kill your productivity this month by making nearly every Star Trek episode free until the end of the month.

    This includes Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Star Trek: Voyager.

    In all, this is 693 episodes. And you have just under 10 days to catch them while they’re still free.

    You do the math.

    “Resistance is futile. Almost as futile as controlling a population of tribbles,” says Hulu.

    (image)

    The last limited time deal that Hulu ran was a little more up my alley. On Valentine’s weekend, Hulu opened up over 800 Criterion Collection films for free.

    To get started on all 693 episodes, head here.

  • Hulu Launches a Redesign of Its Apple TV App

    Hulu Launches a Redesign of Its Apple TV App

    Hulu has just announced a significant redesign of its Apple TV app – one that they say make finding and viewing things much easier.

    “Right away, you’ll notice we’ve added content categories across the top navigation bar to make it easy to for you to jump to your chosen section – whether it is TV, Kids, Latino, Search, or something else. Inside each category, you’ll discover what’s new in our content library so it’s easy to discover new shows and keep up with the shows you already love. You can also jump into your favorite shows right away with the “Shows You Watch” tray. We built this to make sure you never miss a new episode or lose your place in a series,” says Hulu’s Dave Herman.

    The UI update also makes playback and viewing simpler. When you find the show you want to watch, all you have to do is press the play button and it will start playing instantly.

    Hulu has also added support for a quick on/off trigger for audio/subtitle options. When you’re watching something, all you have to do is press and hold the select button.

    To experience the new UI, you have to be up to date on your firmware. Make sure to update your software in your settings if you don’t see the changes.

    In other, probably more significant Hulu news, the company just named former SVP of Content Andy Forssell as the acting CEO, replacing Jason Kilar as he departs at the end of Q1.

  • Hulu Taps SVP of Content Andy Forssell to Replace Jason Kilar as CEO

    Hulu Taps SVP of Content Andy Forssell to Replace Jason Kilar as CEO

    Back in January, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar announced that he would be stepping down at the end of Q1. And as that time fast approaches, Hulu has finally announced who will replace him when he leaves.

    According to Kilar, Andy Forssell will be tapped as acting CEO when he steps down at the end of March.

    Forssell is currently the Senior Vice President of Content at the company who signed on in 2007.

    “In his time at Hulu, Andy has accelerated the growth of the content business from just two content providers in 2007 to more than 410 today, and has led the expansion into original programming. Andy brought to Hulu more than a decade of experience at Siebel Systems and Oracle Corporation where he served in a number of leadership roles including product development, customer care, datacenter operations and supplier management for their hosted CRM software-as-a-service businesses,” says Hulu’s about page.

    Kilar sent this letter to the Hulu team, and it’s been cross-posted to the Hulu blog:

    Team –

    As you all know, I will be departing Hulu at the end of this quarter. I wanted to share the news that Andy Forssell will be stepping up to lead Hulu as acting CEO after I depart later this month. You know Andy well; he’s been a critical senior executive and has been here from the start of this great adventure. Andy exemplifies the Hulu culture and has been central to Hulu’s journey, helping to grow this company from 2 content partners and no revenue to over 450 content partners and approximately $700 million revenue in 2012. In his role, Andy has built strong relationships with many of our Board members. Andy has the Board’s strong support in leading the team during this important time.

    Disney and News Corporation are currently finalizing their forward-looking plans with Hulu, and the senior team has been working closely with them in that process. Once the plans are finalized, a permanent decision will be made regarding the CEO position.

    As I mentioned to you all at the beginning of this year, Hulu’s focus remains on delivering a fantastic 2013 for customers and shareholders. Hulu is well on its way, with new records being set in Q1 across both revenue and subscriber additions. The unwavering focus on delighting Hulu’s customers is clearly showing up in the outputs of the business.

    Jason