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Hulu plans to go international
Hulu's been planning to go global for a while now, but it looks like the company could be a bit closer. PaidContent reports that the company has hired a new vice president to oversee international operations.
It seems likely that one of the first areas outside the US that Hulu will be available will be the UK. What I'd love to see is a reciprocal relationship, where in addition to streaming US content to British viewers, Hulu could work out a deal to distribute BBC content in the US.
Comments
12
Subscribe to commentsJennMar 24th 2009 1:05PM
Guess Canadian users are still stuck with using Hotspot shield to access. Its too bad that content cannot be streamed to Canada over the internet, yet on our cable boxes we receive them. Oh well, its a step in the right direction!
DomanicusMar 24th 2009 12:21PM
I'd love to be able to watch Hulu over here in the UK. But a BBC deal? The US shouldn't get their hopes up...
William DowellMar 24th 2009 12:21PM
Good luck getting the BBC on board...
I think they have their own ambitions to be honest!
AdamMar 24th 2009 12:32PM
Indeed, the BBC have spent millions on iPlayer, that's been a massive success (they're also going HD by the end of the month) ,so they're not going to give the business to Hulu.
But Hulu in the UK?
About time.
Now if only they'd let UK users watch the full episodes of the Daily Show like they used to be able to
Mandip shergillMar 24th 2009 1:12PM
There is a fundamental difference in the way the iplayer and hulu have been funded. The BBC is funded by the British taxpayer, and I as one of them would feel a little aggrieved if this content was made free and available to those that have not contributed to that funding.
I have no problem with the itv or channel 4 versions of online player being made more widely available, as their primary source of funding is through commercial means, as with hulu. So by all means let advertisers and their viewers fund wider viewing. But the BBC iplayer is an exception.
Brad LinderMar 24th 2009 1:15PM
I never said free. While BBC programs are available commercial-free in the UK, I don't see why the BBC couldn't strike a deal with Hulu or other companies to distribute them with commercial interruptions in the US and the rest of the world. The revenue could help fund new programming or reduce the fees paid by UK taxpayers.
Heck, I'd be willing to pay for a subscription-based iPlayer service. But that hasn't happened yet either.
Mandip shergillMar 24th 2009 1:26PM
I would have no objection to a service such as you describe in your reply, as long as it did indeed result in a reduction to the cost of the tv licence. But somehow I doubt that will happen. Every year sees an increase in cost. I don't ever remember any reduction.
JoseeMar 24th 2009 2:35PM
Geez .. could Hulu be any slower? Us Brits have been waiting for ages!!!!
I'm inclined to agree with Brad. As a British tax payer who helps fund the BBC - I wouldn't like the content to be going abroad for nothing, but doing a deal with Hulu seems a good approach simply because Hulu is fast becoming a standard in the US when it comes to viewing TV, in the same way that YouTube has become the standard for music videos and uploaded user content. Hulu is gaining wide support so it makes sense for the BBC to get onboard rather than going it alone.
.. but a reduced TV licence fee for UK households?.. yeah.. when pigs fly!
SleepingPandaMar 24th 2009 4:24PM
I guess they're not planning to hit us in the Caribbean anytime soon? Oh well, some good news is better than none, eh? Lucky Brits.
AddyMar 25th 2009 8:14AM
Aargh! "Unfortunately this video is not currently available in your country or region. We apologize for the inconvenience."
When they know that international viewers would be unable to watch this video of them trying to go international, couldn't they upload it to a site that is globally accessible?
AddyMar 25th 2009 6:15AM
Aargh!"Unfortunately this video is not currently available in your country or region. We apologize for the inconvenience."
When they know that international viewers would be unable to watch this video of them trying to go international, couldn't they share the video on a site that is globally accessible?
Watch HuluMay 30th 2009 8:41AM
You don't have to wait for hulu to allow international viewers! Just buy a simple vpn... It's what I did for my travels around the world. I purchased mine from www.hidemynet.com at only 5$ per month, they had instant activation so I was able to start watching immediately.