Hulu reveals live TV, factual plans

Hulu has confirmed it will launch an online TV service and a new documentary film arm for exclusive factual titles.

Mike Hopkins

The US streamer’s CEO, Mike Hopkins, said at the company’s annual Upfront presentation yesterday that Hulu will begin offering live TV to its subscribers in early 2017.

It means viewers will be able to watch broadcast and pay TV networks live without a cable connection.

Hulu, which is co-owned by Disney, Fox and Comcast, is currently in negotiations to carry channels such as ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Fox, Fox News and FX on the service, which US reports suggest will cost US$40 per month.

Hulu also announced the launch of Hulu Documentary Films, which will house “premium” original and exclusive documentaries.

The first of these is the Ron Howard-directed The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (working title), to which Hulu has taken exclusive SVoD rights in the US.

The doc features rare and exclusive footage and has been produced with the full co-operation of the surviving band members and other collaborators.

It is based on the first part of The Beatles’ career between 1962 and 1966 and explores how the band came together to become an extraordinary phenomenon.

Hulu also claimed during the Upfront that its subscriber base has grown more than 30% year-on-year and will reach 12 million in the US by the end of this month.

The company has ordered a second season of its original drama series The Path, which stars Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, and a fifth of its resurrected Fox comedy The Mindy Project, starring Mindy Kaling.

“Over the past year, we’ve propelled Hulu by adding an extraordinary array of original series, hit broadcast and cable shows and blockbuster movies to our content portfolio, all of which has led to incredible growth in subscribers and engagement,” said Hopkins.