Hulu launches multi-platform premium video service

Following months of speculation about its premium prospects, streaming video site Hulu finally confirmed plans to introduce Hulu Plus, an ad-supported subscription service priced at $9.99 per month. Promising content optimized for multiple web-connected devices including Apple's iPhone and iPad as well as PCs, Macs, PlayStation 3 and select Samsung Blu-ray players, Hulu Plus will spotlight programming from Hulu owners News Corp., NBC Universal and the Walt Disney Co., including complete seasons of current primetime hits like Glee, The Office and Grey's Anatomy as well as multiple seasons of library titles like The X-Files and Arrested Development. According to Hulu, content will originate from more than 100 providers in all, spanning broadcast networks, major studios and independent creators--many programs will stream in 720p high definition, with select devices leveraging adaptive bitrate streaming to deliver the highest video quality for a given viewer's bandwidth.

Hulu Plus is currently available as an invitation-only preview--automaker Nissan and beer giant Bud Light are lined up as advertisers, with additional marketing partners expected to sign on before the service's broad consumer launch. Hulu said it will continue expanding to new devices and platforms in the months ahead, with Xbox 360 confirmed for early 2011--its traditional free website will also remain up and running. 

Hulu generated an estimated $100 million in advertising revenues in 2009. Rumors that that the site would introduce an application for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch date back more than a year.

For more on Hulu Plus:
- read this release

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