Digital Rights Group signs content deal with Hulu
Digital Rights Group (DRG) has today announced a new content deal with Hulu, the News Corp and NBC Universal-owned US online TV platform.
The deal will give Hulu access to DRG’s C4i and Portman catalogues, which includes shows such as Green Wing, Peep Show, Rude Tube and Traffik, for free.
DRG will become the first British television content provider to launch on the service, which is reportedly due to expand to the UK some time this year (see Hulu set for UK launch).
Hulu has already proved popular among US audiences and now has 34.7 million unique users – and more than 332 million overall video streams – according to figures from comScore.
The US-only service offers content of more than 1,200 show and film titles, from over 130 content providers.
DRG’s Justin Judd, who negotiated the deal, said: “We’re very excited to be leading the charge for British content on Hulu. In a very short space of time it has established itself as the key player for long-term Video on Demand.”
Judd also revealed that the DRG are “actively seeking additional high quality drama and comedy to roll out” on the service, in addition to its own catalogue of UK programming.
“We look forward to working with British producers and content owners to bring their programmes to the dynamic new marketplace,” he said.
Today’s announcement fuels speculation that Hulu is set to launch in the UK, with added British content to specifically appeal to the UK market, following the Competition Commission’s ruling to block Project Kangaroo – a similar VoD service proposed by BBC Worldwide, Channel 4 and ITV (see Should Hulu launch in the UK?).
Hulu’s international ambition has also been signalled by the company’s appointment of Johannes Larcher as senior vice-president of international, who has been specifically hired to lead the video portal’s expansion efforts outside of the US, according to reports.
Larcher’s previous international-focused roles include general manager of international at Overture, and vice-president and general manager of international for Friendster – the social network.