Just one day after it emerged Hulu was cracking down on anonymous proxy servers, it has announced a raft of international television deals which sees non-U.S. content coming to the service. But are international viewers welcomed alongside the new content? Are they hell.
Hulu Makes International Deals
I wasn’t planning on writing two posts about Hulu on two successive days, after all, I’d rather not give the company publicity until it starts treating international viewers fairly. But that’s how it is. Yesterday saw Hulu make a concerted effort to prevent non-U.S. residents from using the service, and now comes another kick in the teeth.
Hulu has signed deals, its first with international content providers, with Endemol, the Digital Rights Group, and Saavn. Content from all three companies will now be made available to watch on Hulu. These deals are just the first three of many the company hopes to make with non-U.S. content providers in the months to come.
The New Content Providers
Endemol is the maker of Big Brother, so U.S. viewers may be treated to episodes of the UK version of the show which begins a new series in June. Already confirmed are other reality shows including Anything for Love and I Want To Be A Hilton.
The Digital Rights Group will provide full episodes of some very successful British shows, including Green Wing, Peep Show, and Doc Martin. All three are uniquely British, and I’m not too sure whether the humor and style will necessarily suit American audiences.
Last but not least, Saavn, one of the largest distributors of Bollywood movies, will now be offering films such as Sarkar, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, and Hera Pheri. This may not be of much interest to many people but there will be a core group of Bollywood fans in the States absolutely ecstatic at the news.
Not American, Not Wanted
Despite all this new content, Hulu is still excluding international viewers from joining in the fun. I spoke yesterday about the whys, wherefores, and frustrations at the situation, and have spoken on two past occasions about how international rights licensing is holding back online video.
According to Andy Forssell, senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution, the company is now starting to seriously explore venturing out of the States. He told The Financial Times that Hulu is “having discussions in the top six to eight markets… we’re laying the groundwork.”
So there is possible movement in this area but until something concrete is announced I won’t hold my breath over the possibility of us non-U.S. residents being able to access what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting start-ups in the Web TV sector. Meanwhile, U.S. viewers will be watching more programming than they can handle, including content from outside the States.
