News that US-based online broadband video provider, Hulu, has targeted the UK as its next major market could offer an interesting alternative to the ever popular BBC iPlayer. The IPTV company is backed by the likes of News Corp, NBC Universal and Disney suggesting there will be no funding issues even in the current economic environment.
A launch date of September 2009 has been pencilled in but talks with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, in relation to quality content, appeared to flounder early this year on the subject of advertising income. The major stumbling block appears to be the company’s refusal to give up control of advertising sales to Channel 4 and ITV although a compromise appears to be on the horizon with ITV keen to take an equity stake in the business and a percentage of advertising revenue.
The company is awaiting a response from the BBC and Channel 4 although finally it looks as though a potential competitor to the BBC iPlayer is on the way. Hulu will also be working closely with a number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ensure a reliable delivery system can be put in place as soon as possible.