Hulu goes subscription only

US streamer Hulu is axing the free, ad-supported version of its service as it steps up its focus on original series and live streaming.

Hulu will now only be available for either US$7.99 per month with limited commercials, or subscribers can pay US$11.99 to watch content without ads.

It has subsequently expanded its distribution partnership with Yahoo to launch Yahoo View, which will now house the content that was previously offered for free via Hulu. This includes recent episodes of series from ABC, NBC and Fox, plus full seasons of animé and Korean drama.

It comes after Time Warner last week joined Disney, 21st Century Fox and Comcast in the joint venture by taking a minority stake in the business.

Hulu has been building its library of acquired programming recently, adding shows such as Empire, Homeland, Seinfeld and Curious George.

It has also been growing its own slate of original programming, which includes The Path, Difficult People, 11.22.63 and Casual. A live-streaming service is also expected to launch early next year.