A Big Bang has resulted in a deep impact with Hulu subscribers.
That’s because a “comprehensive new agreement” has been reached with the Over-The-Top (OTT) service and CBS Corp. that sees its flagship CBS network — along with the CBS Sports Network and POP channel — added to Hulu’s new multichannel live TV streaming service, set to launch in the coming months.
The deal is particularly noteworthy, as it includes “the potential to add additional networks in the future” — such as The Smithsonian Channel.
The new deal extends Showtime Networks’ existing agreement with Hulu, in which Showtime is offered as a premium subscription service to those customers who subscribe to Hulu’s live or SVOD service.
“To build a successful live TV service, you have to have viewers’ favorite sports and shows — and CBS’ programming is absolutely vital to that mix,” Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins said. “With 21st Century Fox, Disney, Turner and now CBS on board, our new live service will offer one of the most valuable sports, news and entertainment lineups anywhere – from ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports and TNT to ABC, CBS, FOX and The Disney Channel.”
While live programming is being made available to Hulu subscribers, they won’t be getting all of the options available on CBS All Access — its own OTT service. For instance, on demand access to shows such as NCIS will be limited to a handful of recent episodes, The Wall Street Journal reports.
“We are very pleased to make CBS available on Hulu’s new live TV service,” said Ray Hopkins, President of CBS Corp.’s Television Networks Distribution. “Hulu has made it clear that it understands the value that the CBS Television Network, along with Showtime and our basic cable network portfolio, will bring to this new offering. In addition, today’s announcement represents another significant step in our strategy to deliver CBS’s industry leading content to viewers whenever and where ever they want to watch it, at terms that are consistent with the Company’s goals.”
Hulu previously inked an affiliate agreement with Time Warner Inc. for live and on-demand streaming of Turner’s suite of popular entertainment, sports, news and kids’ networks including TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies.
