Hulu is a subscription video on demand (SVOD) service that offers a variety of TV shows, movies, and documentaries to stream. It is one of the most popular streaming services in the United States, with over 46 million subscribers.
Hulu offers two main plans:
- Hulu (With Ads): This plan costs $7.99 per month and includes ads.
- Hulu (No Ads): This plan costs $14.99 per month and does not include ads.
In addition to its on-demand content, Hulu also offers a live TV streaming service called Hulu + Live TV. This plan costs $76.99 per month and includes over 75 live TV channels, as well as on-demand access to Hulu's full library of content.
Hulu is available on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, computers, and mobile devices.
Here are some of the popular TV shows and movies that are available on Hulu:
- TV Shows: The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, Pam & Tommy, Atlanta, The Dropout, Abbott Elementary, The Kardashians, The Bachelor, This Is Us, The Good Doctor, Grey's Anatomy
- Movies: The Princess Bride, Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, The Silence of the Lambs, *The Godfather, The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings, Marvel Cinematic Universe films ,Star Wars films
Hulu also offers a variety of original content, including the following:
- The Handmaid's Tale
- Only Murders in the Building
- Pam & Tommy
- Atlanta
- The Dropout
- Abbott Elementary
- Dopesick
- Nine Perfect Strangers
- The Great
- Shrill
- Normal People
- Little Fires Everywhere
Hulu is a great option for people who want to watch a variety of TV shows and movies without having to pay for cable TV. It is also a good option for people who want to watch live TV without having to commit to a long-term contract.
Key Aspects
Here are some key aspects of Hulu:
- Content Library: Hulu provides a vast library of content, including current-season TV episodes from major networks shortly after they air. It also offers a wide selection of movies, documentaries, and original programming.
- Original Content: Like other streaming platforms, Hulu produces its own original content, including original series and documentaries. Some popular Hulu Originals include "The Handmaid's Tale," "Castle Rock," and "The Act."
- Partnerships and Licensing: Hulu has partnerships with several major television networks and studios, allowing it to offer a diverse range of content. This includes shows from networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, and others.
- Ad-Supported and Ad-Free Plans: Hulu offers both ad-supported and ad-free subscription plans, allowing users to choose their preferred viewing experience. The ad-supported plan typically features commercials during streaming.
- Live TV: In addition to on-demand content, Hulu offers a Live TV service that allows subscribers to watch live broadcasts of major networks along with access to Hulu's on-demand library.
- Device Compatibility: Hulu is accessible on various devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices (such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV), smartphones, tablets, and web browsers.
- Add-Ons: Hulu provides additional add-ons, such as premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) and enhanced features, for an extra cost.
History
Hulu was launched on March 12, 2008, and its history is marked by collaboration between major media companies to create a platform that could compete with other emerging streaming services. Here's an overview of the key events in the history of Hulu:
- Formation and Ownership (2007-2008): Hulu was created as a joint venture between NBC Universal, Fox Entertainment Group, and ABC Inc. (The Walt Disney Company ), with later participation from Providence Equity Partners. Each of these companies had a vested interest in creating a platform that would allow them to distribute their content online.
- Beta Launch (2007-2008): Prior to its official launch in 2008, Hulu had a beta (testing) phase that allowed a limited number of users to access and test the platform. This phase helped Hulu refine its service based on user feedback.
- Public Launch (March 12, 2008): Hulu officially launched to the public, offering a free, ad-supported service that allowed users to watch a variety of TV shows and movies on-demand.
- Content Partnerships and Library Expansion: Over the following years, Hulu expanded its content library through partnerships with additional networks and studios. It became known for offering current-season TV episodes shortly after they aired on traditional television.
- Introduction of Subscription Plans (2010): Hulu introduced its first subscription plan called Hulu Plus in 2010, offering an expanded content library and the ability to watch on a broader range of devices. The subscription model helped Hulu generate revenue beyond advertising.
- Ownership Changes (2013): Providence Equity Partners sold its minority stake in Hulu in 2013. This led to the remaining owners—NBC Universal, Fox Entertainment Group, and The Walt Disney Company—continuing to manage and operate Hulu.
- Entry into Original Content (2011-2013): Hulu started investing in original content, producing exclusive series and documentaries. Notable early originals included "The Awesomes" and "Battleground."
- Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox (2019): In a significant development, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, gaining majority control of Hulu. This acquisition further solidified Disney's position in the streaming market.
- International Expansion (2021): Hulu is primarily available in the United States, but its parent company, Disney, has launched the Star brand internationally as part of its Disney+ service, incorporating some Hulu content for a global audience.
- Integration with Disney Bundle (2021): Hulu is offered as part of the Disney bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a discounted price, providing users with a comprehensive streaming package.
Hulu's history reflects the changing landscape of streaming services and the ongoing evolution of the entertainment industry.
Hulu and Disney
The relationship between Hulu and Disney is complex and has evolved over time. In 2009, Hulu was launched as a joint venture between NBCUniversal, News Corporation, and ABC (now owned by Disney). In 2013, Disney acquired News Corporation's stake in Hulu. In 2019, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, which included a 33% stake in Hulu. This gave Disney a majority stake in Hulu.
In 2019, Disney and Comcast (which owns NBCUniversal) signed an agreement that gave Disney full operational control of Hulu. The agreement also gave Disney the option to buy out Comcast's stake in Hulu in 2024.
Disney has said that it plans to take full control of Hulu in 2024. This would give Disney complete ownership of one of the most popular streaming services in the United States. It would also allow Disney to bundle Hulu with its other streaming services, Disney+ and ESPN+.
The relationship between Hulu and Disney has several benefits for both companies. For Disney, Hulu provides a platform to offer more mature content than is available on Disney+, such as the popular series "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Only Murders in the Building." Hulu also gives Disney access to a large library of TV shows and movies from other networks, which it can use to supplement its own content offerings.
For Hulu, the relationship with Disney provides access to Disney's vast library of content, including its popular Marvel and Star Wars franchises. Hulu also benefits from Disney's expertise in marketing and distribution.
The relationship between Hulu and Disney is also important for consumers. Hulu offers a wide variety of content at a competitive price. The bundling of Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ could make the services even more affordable for consumers.