Hulu set for UK launch

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 3rd July 2009
Comments (9) Stumble
Hulu set for UK launch

The Hulu service is set to expand beyond the borders of the US - and the UK is first on the list.

The popular US-based video streaming service Hulu is set to make an appearance here in the UK according to the company's senior vice president.

As reported by TechRadar, senior vice president Johannes Larcher explained at the Future of Broadcasting event in London that reaching these hallowed shores is Hulu's “number one priority.”

The video on demand service has achieved startling popularity in the US, offering users subscription-free access to TV shows and films in both standard and high definition. Launched in 2007 as a joint venture between NBC Universal and Fox Entertainment Group – later to be joined by ABC Incorporated – the Flash-based streaming service uses advertising to earn money in a similar way to commercial TV stations.

While the company has earned the ire of some by withdrawing its content from other services – including the CBS Corporation-owned TV.com and Boxee – it still has many fans who flock to the service in order to catch their favourite shows. Currently, the company limits access to IP addresses physically located in the US, citing restrictions on the licences it has for its content.

This is all set to change, with Larcher saying that Hulu is “very interested in the UK,” and hopes that “in the very near future we will have some plans to reveal for the UK.”

It is hoped that the company will be able to start offering streaming services to the UK in September, and will offer not only the US content that has made it so popular but UK shows from ITV, BBC, and Channel 4.

Could Hulu make it big over the pond, or is the company too US-oriented to see what UK viewers are really after? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote badders 3rd July 2009, 10:06
I use Hulu at work (yay for US-based IP ranges) and I must say, I do like the way it works.
Can not wait for it to come over here.
Quote Denis_iii 3rd July 2009, 10:12
i love hulu, but its a pain going threw a US proxy to get it working
I hope "in the near future" is months away not a year
Quote DXR_13KE 3rd July 2009, 10:58
its coming to air strip one.... nice.
Quote Psytek 3rd July 2009, 12:00
I think the success of iplayer has shown that this is exactly what the british public want.
Quote TomH 3rd July 2009, 13:25
Be nice if they let it work in Boxee. :(
Quote cjoyce1980 3rd July 2009, 15:50
next E3, microsoft will have a section for Hulu like is does with facebook and twitter now
Quote naokaji 3rd July 2009, 15:55
While streaming videos does sound nice, throttling will prevent its use.
Quote Votey 5th July 2009, 02:40
I hope the "number two priority" is making Hulu not stop to buffer 480p video 45 times in a 21-minute show.
Quote an4rew 6th July 2009, 00:48
I tried it a while back with hotspot shield it ran quite well through a proxy...

Looking forward to the release but whats the UK networks gonna think of this when they pay big money for the rights to some US shows.
Log in

You are not logged in, please login with your forum account below. If you don't already have an account please register to start contributing.







Mobile Phones

LG Arena ReviewHTC Magic Review

Compare over 250 mobile phones &
52,000 deals!



Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Compare over 100 broadband & mobile broadband deals online!