Hulu
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| Type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 2007 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California,  United States |
| Area served | United States |
| Key people | Jason Kilar,[1] CEO |
| Owner | NBC Universal (32%)[2] Fox Entertainment Group (31%) ABC (27%) Providence Equity Partners (10%) Hulu Employees |
| Slogan | Anywhere, Anytime |
| Website | http://www.hulu.com |
| Type of site | Video on demand |
| Available in | English |
| Launched | March 12, 2008 |
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Hulu is a website offering commercial-supported streaming video of TV shows and movies from NBC, Fox, ABC, and many other networks and studios. Hulu videos are currently offered only to users in the United States.[3] In order to ensure that no international users outside the US have access to the videos, Hulu blocks many anonymous proxies and virtual private networks. Hulu provides video in Flash Video format, including many films and shows that are available in 288p, 360p and 480p. Hulu also provides web syndication services for other websites including AOL, MSN, MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo!, and Comcast's fancast.com.
Hulu is a joint venture of NBC Universal (General Electric), Fox Entertainment Group (News Corp) and ABC Inc. (The Walt Disney Company)[4], with funding by Providence Equity Partners, which made a US$100 million equity investment and received a 10% stake.[5]
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Name
The name Hulu comes from two Mandarin Chinese words, hulu (simplified Chinese: 葫芦; traditional Chinese: 葫蘆; pinyin: húlú; Wade–Giles: hu-lu) "calabash, bottle gourd" and hulu (simplified Chinese: 互录; traditional Chinese: 互錄; pinyin: hùlù; Wade–Giles: hu-lu) "interactive recording." The company blog explains:
In Mandarin, Hulu has two interesting meanings, each highly relevant to our mission. The primary meaning interested us because it is used in an ancient Chinese proverb that describes the hulu as the holder of precious things. It literally translates to "gourd," and in ancient times, the hulu was hollowed out and used to hold precious things. The secondary meaning is "interactive recording." We saw both definitions as appropriate bookends and highly relevant to the mission of Hulu, In Amharic (language in Ethiopia) it also means "Everything" and seeing as how it has every show it was well fitting at the time.[6][7]
History
The Hulu venture was announced in March 2007 with AOL, MSN, Facebook, and Yahoo! planned as "initial distribution partners."[8] Jason Kilar was named the CEO in June.[9][10] The name Hulu was chosen in late August 2007, when the website went live, with an announcement only and no content. It invited users to leave their email addresses for the upcoming beta test.[11] In October, Hulu began the private beta testing by invitation, and later allowed users to invite friends.[12] Hulu launched for public access in the United States on March 12, 2008.[13]
Hulu began an advertising campaign during NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIII with an initial ad starring Alec Baldwin titled "Alec in Huluwood."[14] The ad intended to humorously reveal "the shocking secret behind Hulu," portraying the site as being an "evil plot to destroy the world" by suggesting that Baldwin is really an alien in disguise.[15] Advertisements have since aired featuring Eliza Dushku, Seth MacFarlane and Denis Leary.
On April 30, 2009, Disney announced that it would join the venture, purchasing a 27% stake in Hulu.[4]
At an industry conference on October 21, 2009, News Corporation Deputy Chairman Chase Carey stated that Hulu "needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business" and that it would likely start charging for at least some content by 2010.[16] Carey's comment jibes with other News Corp. heads, including Rupert Murdoch who has expressed a desire to charge for content with a number of on-line units.[17]
Early in 2010, Hulu chief executive Jason Kilar said the service has made a profit in two quarters, and that the company could top $100 million in revenue by summer 2010, more than its income for all of 2009. comScore says monthly video streams reached 903 million in January 2010, over three times the figure for a year earlier,[18] and second only to YouTube.[19]
On May 24, 2010, Hulu planned to begin charging $9.95 per month for premium content identified as "Hulu Plus". For example, the five newest episodes of Glee, Lost and Saturday Night Live would be free, but older episodes would require the payment of $9.95 per month.[20] The premium content would not include cable shows.[19] The release date for Hulu Plus has been delayed.[21]
On August 16, 2010, A report revealed that Hulu is planning an Initial Public Offering (IPO) which could value the U.S. video viewing site at more than $2 billion.[22][23]
Features
Hulu distributes video both on its own website and syndicates its hosting to other sites,[24] and allows users to embed Hulu clips on their websites.[13] In addition to NBC, ABC and FOX programs and movies, Hulu carries shows from other networks such as Current TV, PBS, USA Network, Bravo, Fuel TV, FX, NFL Network, Speed, Big Ten Network, Syfy, Style, Sundance, E!, G4, Versus, A&E, Oxygen and online comedy sources such as Onion News Network.[25] Each supplier gets 50 to 70 percent of advertising revenue resulting from its content.[18]
In November 2009, Hulu also began to establish partnerships with record labels to host music videos and concert performances on the site, including EMI in November 2009,[26] and Warner Music Group in December 2009.[27]
In early March 2010, headlines were made when Viacom announced that they were pulling two of the website's most popular shows,[28] The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, off Hulu.[28] The programs had been airing on Hulu since late 2008.[29] A spokesman for Viacom noted: "In the current economic model, there is not that much in it for us to continue at this time. If they can get to the point where the monetization model is better, then we may go back."[29]
Watching Hulu on TV
Consumers can now also watch Hulu on their TVs, according to Popular Science's December 2009 Top 100 Innovations of the Year issue, by downloading MediaMall Technologies' PlayOn software which works with their networked Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or other DLNA-compatible device connected to their TV,[30] or by simply connecting a computer with a streaming capable video card to the TV via HDMI or an RCA connector. Additionally, the new Hulu Plus service (currently in beta testing) allows first-party access to Hulu from the Playstation 3 and select televisions (mainly Samsung models).
In late June 2010, it was announced that a version of Hulu would be available to the iTunes App Store for the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS using iOS4, and the iPod touch 3rd generation using iOS4. Viewing the content on Hulu, however, requires a subscription.[31]
Hulu Desktop
Hulu has released a beta version of Hulu Desktop, a standalone program for watching Hulu programming without a web browser. The program uses a 10-foot user interface and is designed to be compatible with existing computer remote controls. It requires a Flash player and runs on Windows, Linux, and OS X. Hulu Desktop does not currently support all content accessed through normal browser means.
Availability
Currently, Hulu's content is only available in the United States with licensing reasons cited.[32] Hulu was planning on launching in the U.K. and Ireland September 2009, but as of April 2010 these had been abandoned for the foreseeable future after failure to sign any content deals.[33] In July 2010, the Financial Times revealed that Hulu had been working on plans for an international launch of Hulu Plus for several months, and had now identified the UK and Japan as markets where its free website and subscription model could feasibly work.[34] Hulu chief executive Jason Kilar expressed his belief that the US model could be replicated elsewhere, saying "We won't be satisfied until this is a global service."[35]
As of February 2009, Hulu has pulled its content from CBS Corp.'s TV.com, and from Boxee, a software firm that makes Internet video suitable for viewing on a large screen, like a television connected to a PC.[36] However, Hulu worked with PlayOn, which when combined with an Xbox 360, PS3, or certain other devices would allow playback of Hulu content on a TV. Also, Boxee produced a workaround for Hulu support.[37]
See also
- Video on demand
- Digital rights management
References
- ↑ "25 Smartest People in TV" Entertainment Weekly Page 17 of 26; Accessed October 23, 2009
- ↑ "NBC Officially Owns 32 Percent of Hulu (Until Comcast Acquires It)" Page 17 of 26; Accessed February 14, 2010
- ↑ "Hulu is a US-only service. Unfortunately, we don't have international streaming rights for our content at this time. Our intention is to make Hulu's growing content lineup available worldwide as quickly as possible. This requires working with the content owners to clear the rights for each show or film in each specific region. It's a long-term project. We don't have a definite timeline yet, but we'll continue to work to make it happen." From Hulu - Support, retrieved 15 Feb 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kramer, Staci D. It's Official: Disney Joins News Corp., NBCU In Hulu; Deal Includes Some Cable Nets, April 30, 2009. Accessed October 30, 2009.
- ↑ Brady, Shirley (2007-08-29). "NBC and Fox Jump Through Hulu Hoop". Cable360.net. http://www.cable360.net/competition/web/25376.html. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ↑ Kilar, Jason (2008-05-14). accessdate=2010-07-17 "What's in a Name?". http://blog.hulu.com/2008/05/13/meaning-of-hulu/ accessdate=2010-07-17.
- ↑ Stack, Tim (2008-03-28). "Hulu: Five Burning Questions". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20185419,00.html. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ↑ "Hulu - About". Hulu. 2007-03-22. http://www.hulu.com/about. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ↑ Hulu (2007-03-22). "NBC Universal and News Corp. Accounce New Online Video Venture". Press release. http://www.hulu.com/press/new_video_venture.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ↑ Nat Worden (2007-03-22). "Google's Still on Top". TheStreet.com. http://www.thestreet.com/s/googles-still-on-top/newsanalysis/technet/10346071.html. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ↑ Nat Worden (2007-08-29). "Google's New Foe: Hulu". TheStreet.com. http://www.thestreet.com/s/googles-new-foe-hulu/newsanalysis/mediaentertainment/10376991.html. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ↑ Hulu (2007-10-29). "Hulu Debuts Via Private Beta". Press release. http://www.hulu.com/press/private_beta.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hulu (2007-03-12). "Hulu.com Opens to Public". Press release. http://www.hulu.com/press/launch_press_release.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ↑ "Hulu - Hulu TV Ads: Alec in Huluwood." http://www.hulu.com/watch/58538/hulu-tv-ads-alec-in-huluwood. Accessed May 10, 2009.
- ↑ McCarthy, Caroline (January 26, 2009). "Hulu to shock the world with Super Bowl ad". CNET News. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10150197-36.html. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ↑ Atkinson, Claire (2009-10-21). "Chase Carey: Hulu to Charge in 2010". Broadcasting & Cable. Reed Business Information. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/ADverse_Atkinson_on_Advertising/23941-Chase_Carey_Hulu_to_Charge_in_2010.php?nid=2228&source=title&rid=6454445. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ↑ Sandoval, Greg (22 October 2009). "More signs Hulu subscription service is coming". Media Maverick. CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10381622-261.html. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Stelter, Brian; Stone, Brad (2010-04-05). "Hulu, the online-video hub, contemplates its future". The New York Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011517934_bthulufuture05.html?syndication=rss. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Grotticelli, Michael (2010-04-26). "Hulu plans subscription service". Broadcast Engineering. http://broadcastengineering.com/news/hulu-plans-subscripiton-service-0426/. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ↑ Chmielewski, Dawn C.; James, Meg (2010-04-21). "Hulu pushes forward with $9.95 subscription service". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/hulu-pushes-forward-with-995-subscription-service.html. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ↑ "Hulu Plus far from launch". 2010-05-18. http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/05/18/hulu.plus.wont.make.may.24.date. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
- ↑ U.S. video viewing site Hulu plans an IPO: report
- ↑ Hulu Is Said to Be Ready for an I.P.O.
- ↑ Rebecca Dana and Emily Steel (2008-03-11). "Can Hulu Find Its Mojo With Viewers?". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120519822483125987.html?mod=technology_main_promo_left. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ↑ "ABC to offer shows on Hulu". The Live Feed. April 30, 2009. http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/04/abc-to-offer-shows-on-hulu.html.
- ↑ "Hulu, EMI Strike Deal for Music Videos, Concerts". PC Magazine. November 18, 2009. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2356071,00.asp. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
- ↑ "Hulu, Warner Music Sign Deal for Music Content". PC Magazine. December 23, 2009. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2357529,00.asp. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 New York Daily News article: "Comedy Central yanks 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report' off Hulu."
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Multichannel News article: "Dauman: Viacom Could Return To Hulu."
- ↑ "MediaMall Technologies PlayOn Digital Media Server, Sneaking Web Video Into Your Living Room". Popular Science. 2009-11-12. http://www.popsci.com/bown/2009/product/mediamall-technologies-playon-digital-media-server. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
- ↑ Sandoval, Greg (2010-06-29). "Hulu unveils $9.99 premium service". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20009174-261.html. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ↑ "Hulu - Support". http://www.hulu.com/support/geofilter. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
- ↑ Barnett, Emma. Hulu 'abandons UK plans' after broadcaster talks collapse, The Daily Telegraph, April 27, 2010. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- ↑ Garrahan, Matthew. Hulu eyes launching global pay platform, Financial Times, July 8, 2010. Accessed July 11, 2010.
- ↑ Laughlin, Andrew. Hulu 'puts UK launch back on agenda', Digital Spy, July 9, 2010. Accessed July 11, 2010.
- ↑ Holmes, Elizabeth (2009-02-19). "Hulu Withdraws its content from TV.com, Boxee". Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/02/19/hulu-withdraws-its-content-from-tvcom-boxee/. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
- ↑ Ronen, Avner (2009-04-25). "new boxee version for Ubuntu, update for Mac and Apple TV". boxee blog. http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/04/25/new-boxee-version-for-ubuntu-update-for-mac-and-apple-tv/. Retrieved 2009-05-10.Hulu also tries to become international and all the content will be available worldwide. Hulu says that has some legalities involved so it will take some time. We estimate that it will be available for the visitors in the mid of the year 2010.
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