Hulu Launches Online TV Service

This week marked the long-awaited launch of Hulu.com, the online video streaming service developed as a joint venture between News Corp and NBC Universal.

Beginning March 12, consumers in the U.S. could visit Hulu.com to watch a free selection of hit TV shows, movies, clips and more in high-quality video. Concurrent with the launch, Hulu announced new content partnerships with the Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, NBA, NHL and more than 20 other top content providers.

New content additions to Hulu’s library will include feature films like The Usual Suspects and Ice Age along with TV shows like “Dirt,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Babylon 5,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” plus nightly highlights and top plays from the NBA and the NHL, popular made for web programming such as Prom Queen, Onion News Network, and more.

“Today, Hulu is crossing a milestone in its mission to help people find and enjoy the world’s premium content, when where and how they want it,” said Jason Kilar, chief executive officer of Hulu. “With full-length episodes of current and archived television shows, feature films, sports and news, we believe the Hulu service is a step forward in giving consumers entertainment on their terms.”

Hulu was founded in March 2007 by NBC Universal and News Corp and is operated independently from offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Beijing. Hulu closed a $100 million investment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners in October 2007.