Disney Takes a Piece of the Hulu Pie
Hulu, which is currently the number three Internet video service in the U.S. and is quickly climbing toward number two, recently gained a new content partner. The Walt Disney Company who owns ABC is the newest of the big American network owners to buy into Hulu, taking control of 27 percent of the company. Disney is the third media company to take a bite into the Hulu pie, preceded only by NBC and News Corp (FOX) as well as the private equity firm Providence Equity Partners.
YouTube announced recently it’s intent to create a paid video service with content similar to what Hulu offers, however with this latest announcement and uncommitted networks dwindling, the content they offer could be limited. 
One has to think that it won’t be long until CBS and Warner Brothers sign similar deals or risk being left behind in the dust. If YouTube wants a solid foot hole in the professional video distribution realm and wants to avoid being passed by Hulu as the number one general video service, they will undoubtedly be in talks with networks like CBS about locking in exclusive content worthy of a large subscription base.
Competition in any market is usually great for the end user. It will be interesting to see how this will advance Internet video distribution from how we know it. Until then, lets all chant “Go Team End User!”
The Geek Board
Great post! I’ll subscribe right now wth my feedreader software!
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