Hulu Opens to Public

LOS ANGELES, March 12: The
online browser-based streaming-video service Hulu, a joint venture between News
Corporation and NBC Universal, has launched its public release, as well as new
licensing deals with Warner Bros. Television Group and Lionsgate, among others.

New content partnerships
with Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, NBA, NHL and more than 20 other
content providers will add titles to Hulu’s library such as the feature films
The Usual Suspects and Ice Age; shows like Dirt, The Incredible Hulk, Babylon 5, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and The Dick Van Dyke Show; nightly highlights, top plays and full-length games from the NBA and
the NHL; and popular made-for-web programming such as Prom Queen
and Onion News Network.

Beginning today, consumers
in the U.S. can access the service’s library of content from more than 50
broadcast networks, cable networks, movie studios and made-for-web content for
free. More than 250 TV series, including The Simpsons, The Office, Prison Break, Arrested
Development and Miami Vice are available, as well as 100 full-length feature
films such as The Big Lebowski,
Me, Myself & Irene, Some
Like It Hot, Mulholland Drive and Three Amigos.

Hulu has been in private
beta since last October. More than 5 million viewers have watched videos in the
past 30 days via Hulu.com or its extensive distribution network. This network
includes Hulu’s partner sites (AOL, Comcast's Fancast.com, MSN, MySpace and
Yahoo!) and other websites where users have embedded Hulu videos. During this
beta period, more than 50,000 Hulu video players have been embedded on nearly
6,000 sites across the web. Additionally, Hulu has more than quadrupled the
number of show and movie titles in its library since private beta testing
began.

Hulu.com streams videos in
high quality and offers additional tools to enhance the viewing experience,
including full-screen view, a pop-out window and a ‘lower lights’ feature,
among others. Hulu.com offers features that enable users to easily clip, share
and embed videos on other websites, including blogs and social-networking sites.

“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, the CEO 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 helps fans find
great content wherever they are online,” added Peter
Chernin, the president and COO of News Corporation. “With tools that make
sharing easy, Hulu encourages viral distribution. At the same time, Hulu’s
distribution partners are some of the most visited on the web, engaging
consumers where they are already spending their time. This is a powerful
combination.”

“Hulu.com’s impressive
content lineup and user experience are equally important in bringing consumers
back again and again,” said Jeff Zucker, the president and CEO of NBC
Universal. “These are the same attributes that make Hulu attractive to major
brands. Both groups see the value in a quality, clutter-free online service.”

—By Ned Berke