Cablevision Signs Programming Deal With Hulu

Cablevision is calling "world's first" by signing a deal with Hulu to bring the streaming service's TV and movie programming to Cablevision's Optimum customers. Cablevision did not provide pricing or availability in its announcement, but instead stated that the info would be made public soon.

Kristin Dolan, chief operating officer of Cablevision, acknowledged that there is a new generation of consumers who get their video through the Internet. The popularity of Hulu is a good example, as it provides movies and the current seasons of popular TV shows. Unlike Netflix, new episodes typically show up on Hulu one day after they're aired on TV.

"At Hulu we believe users should have the ability to consume their favorite content, when, where and how they want," said Tim Connolly, senior vice president, distribution, Hulu. "Even with the rapid growth in streaming, there is a huge audience that consumes television through their cable provider, and we want to be there for them too."

Although Hulu does provide some free content, customers wanting access to current seasons must shell out $7.99 per month. Compared to a monthly cable subscription, Hulu "Plus" is rather inexpensive. Networks that provide content on Hulu include ABC, NBC, Fox, The CW, Cartoon Network, TNT and more. Hulu even serves up its own original programming such as Deadbeat and Behind The Mask.

Hulu launched back in 2008 and is owned by NBCUniversal, the Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox. Subscribers have access to the content using devices like third-party set-top-boxes, game consoles, smartphones, tablets and PCs. Despite the subscription model, customers still must endure commercials, although not quite as many as seen on network TV.

Hulu's new partner, Cablevision, is the nation's sixth largest broadband provider in the United States. According to the company, over 13.1 million people subscribe to its broadband service in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. All four states see a max broadband speed of 100 Mbps or more.

Back in March, Cablevision was one of the first cable providers to agree in offering HBO's standalone streaming service, HBO Now. This service, launched earlier this month, caters to the Optimum Online customers and provides instant access to HBO programming. Customers can get their hands on every Game of Thrones episode in addition to other original content and movies.

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  • falchard
    I like Cablevision.
    Reply
  • dstarr3
    Too bad Hulu is terrible.
    Reply
  • boletus
    What's a television, Grandpa?
    Reply
  • PC newb 09
    Hulu, pay for premium and still get ads. no thanks
    Reply
  • wiyosaya
    One thing that would be a deal breaker for me is that with some content, you have to have a subscription TV provider and you have to validate with Hulu by logging into your account at that subscription TV provider. I had no idea that NBC Universal was a part owner in Hulu, and this explains why I was unable to watch some shows that were on USA this season - as those shows required that you have a subscription TV provider.

    So in this press release, no mention is made as to whether you will have to have Cablevision as your TV provider in order to access their content. If so, I will do like I am doing with the content from Hulu that I could not watch - waiting until it is available for free elsewhere.

    As long as Hulu has a "subscription TV provider" account requirement for some content, I do not think this is going to be as big as it could be in the marketplace. Personally, I see such a requirement as extortion to maintain a "traditional Pay TV account." At this point, I only have Hulu because I get it free using Bing points; however, I am beginning to wonder whether those points might be spent better elsewhere.
    Reply
  • Grandmastersexsay
    Hulu sucks.
    Reply