Hulu recognizes Blighty existence
Warning: This story for Americans only
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Hulu - that online video extravaganza juiced by three of the four American TV/movie giants - has suddenly recognized the existence of Blighty.
Today, the old/new media hybrid told the world it has partnered with UK content distributor Digital Rights Group to offer up several Brit television titles, including Green Wing, Peep Show, Kingdom, and Doc Martin. And it has inked a similar pact with Indian distributor Saavn, embracing several classic Bollywood films, including Sarkar, Deewana, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Hera Pheri, and Huluchul (no relation).
But Hulu is not offering any of these British or Indian titles to Britons or Indians. The site remains closed to everyone but America.
Of course, the idea is to change this. Speaking with The Financial Times, Andy Forssell - Hulu senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution - said that the company is in the midst of discussions to launch the site in "six to eight" of the leading broadcast markets.
We're not sure why he's confused about numbers seven and eight. But there you have it. And the company's new British and Indian deals are at least a small step towards the site's internationalization.
Hulu also argues that these deals deliver content that most Americans haven't seen. But knowing Americans - a race of people who are interested in themselves - they aren't likely to see it now either. Ex-pats? Sure. Forssell also told The FT that the company has been in talks with The Beeb and ITV about pacts involving their shows as well.
Originally a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corp. (owners of Fox TV), Hulu has since roped in Disney (owners of ABC TV). The full-length TV and movie vids are free - except that they come with advertising. And the site doesn't like ad blockers.
If you don't live in the US, you cannot access Hulu here. ®
COMMENTS
Re. UK TV
"I lost a great deal of respect for the BBC when I discovered that they actually created a clone of American Gladiators!"
"American Gladiators" was cloned by Sky, a News Corp. company owned by a certain Mr. Rupert Murdoch and his family of drones. The same guy also happens to own The Sun (a British tabloid newspaper) and The Times (a well-known broadsheet). Oh yes: and his tribe owns the FOX network in the US too.
In fairness, shows like "American Gladiators" aren't new to the UK: we had "It's A Knockout" way, way back -- part of the once-popular, EU-wide "Jeux Sans Frontières" TV franchise (1965-1999).
Sky also happens to have an (effective) monopoly on what passes for the UK's satellite TV "market". It's about as "British" as kangaroos and Kylie Minogue.
Re: R. John Quisenberry
Not sure if you're joking, but in case you're not - "Three's Company" was an American copy of an English (ITV I think) show called "Man about the House."
Why does everything here mentioning America devolve into a willy waving contest? Grow up people. For every Blackadder we have, they have a Seinfeld, for every Vicar of Dullsbry, there's a Small Wonder, for every American Gladiator there's a Dear John.
UK TV
To correct an idiotic statement in the article. We are quite aware of the viewing material created in the UK. I know a fair number of folks here who are forced to pirate it in order to see new episodes. In fact, I have been a fan of UK programming since childhood. Both of my daughters are becoming fond of it as well. The problem is, the snobs on the other side of the pond are too busy congratulating themselves on being superior to actually capitalize on the ready market here. NOW who is silly? I lost a great deal of respect for the BBC when I discovered that they actually created a clone of American Gladiators! Of all the things to copy... It could only have been worse if you copied "Three's Company"! (Getting sick even thinking about it...) At least copy stuff that isn't vomit inducing! In short, we enjoy what we get from you guys, but we want less filler and more "meat". So get off your high horses before you break your silly necks and knock out what few teeth you have falling off.
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