Disney Joins Hulu

Disney has signed on as a partner with online streaming video site Hulu, joining forces with NBC Universal, News Corp., and Providence Equity Partners on the fast-growing site (Hulu ranks second only to YouTube in the world of web videos).

Disney films, as well as ABC television shows such as hits Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and more, will become available for ad-supported streaming on the site. CBS is now the only "Big Four" network not involved with Hulu.

As a partner, Disney will have three seats on the 12-member Hulu board. Disney will also have an approx. 27 percent share in the company, about the same as NBC Universal and News Corp. The deal is still pending approval.

The deal also raises questions about the viability of YouTube's business model, and its ability to compete with Hulu in the future.

We just wonder which ABC star will make the next hilarious Hulu TV commercial? (Alec Baldwin has already represented NBC, while Seth MacFarlane, Eliza Dushku, and Denis Leary each displayed their talents for FOX.)








-- Daniel Lehman

Comments

[Howard]

I am sure youtube is freaking out over this deal but in the end people benefit by having more content available to them online. Already Youtube is putting up old movies online. I do prefer the video quality and content quality of Hulu over youtube.