Hulu has joined Netflix in producing original programming. If you hate Morgan Spurlock then you won’t want to read on, as the Super Size Me filmmaker is the man behind the show, sharing A Day In The Life with various celebrities.
Original Web Programming
There is an intriguing trend emerging whereby Internet companies are no longer merely buying up content that has already aired on television but also producing and/or financing their own original programming to air exclusively on one service.
In March Netflix announced it had won the bid (against the likes of HBO and AMC) for House of Cards, a new drama serial starring Kevin Spacey and directed by David Fincher. And now Hulu has joined the ranks, although its series isn’t either as highbrow or expensive to make as House of Cards.
A Day In The Life
is producing a new six-part series called A Day In The Life, which will see documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, 30 Days) spending 24 hours with various “fascinating people.”
The first episode features Virgin boss and billionaire Richard Branson, with future episodes seeing appearances by Will.i.am, Russell Peters, and Girl Talk (no, me neither). The series begins on Aug 17.
Spurlock said:
“As a filmmaker, I am always looking for new and exciting ways to reach an audience and to tell stories. When the opportunity to create an original doc series with Hulu presented itself, I jumped at the chance.”
The company has suggested this won’t be a one-off, with Charlotte Koh of the original content development team stating this is part of a “new Hulu initiative designed to support creatively and financially the work of independent storytellers like Spurlock.”
Hulu is currently up for sale, of course, so it seems a little strange that it has chosen now to get into the original production game.
Conclusions
definitely has an audience and one which is likely to be switched-on enough to use Hulu. So it would seem to be a no-brainer for the company to fund his work and get original programming as compensation.
Could this be the start of a huge trend? One which will see the power of the traditional networks and studios somewhat dampened?
[Via AFP]
