Andre Yoskowitz
7 May 2009 21:01
Hulu, the currently US-only online video service jointly run by Fox, NBCU and Disney, has begun signing content deals with international television producers, perhaps hinting at a global launch in the near future.
In under 18 months, Hulu has moved to become the third place video site online, behind YouTube and Fox Interactive, seeing 380 million clips viewed last month.
The main complaint with the service is the fact that it does not exist outside the US, but it appears Hulu is ready to expand the service to eight "leading broadcast markets."
“We’re having discussions in the top six to eight markets…we’re laying the groundwork,” noted Andy Forssell, senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution.
In the UK, Hulu has signed deals with Endemol (producer of Big Brother) and Digital Rights Group, which will bring episodes of Green Wing, Peep Show and Doc Martin.
The large Bollywood distributor Saavn has also signed a deal with the online video site.