Hulu: Difference between revisions
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'''Hulu ''' is |
'''Hulu ''' is a website that offers free, high-quality [[streaming video]] of TV shows and movies, primarily from [[NBC]] and [[FOX]] and their cable networks. Hulu has [[online social networking]] features, allowing users to ''clip'' videos, or parts of videos, from the site for posting in outside online communities. (Hulu has called this aspect ''[[video sharing]]'', though users cannot upload content.)<ref name="pr_launch"> |
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{{cite press release |url=http://www.hulu.com/press/launch_press_release.html |work=[http://www.hulu.com/about/press_room Press Room] |publisher=Hulu |title=Hulu.com Opens to Public |accessdate=2008-03-28 |date=2007-03-12 }} |
{{cite press release |url=http://www.hulu.com/press/launch_press_release.html |work=[http://www.hulu.com/about/press_room Press Room] |publisher=Hulu |title=Hulu.com Opens to Public |accessdate=2008-03-28 |date=2007-03-12 }} |
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Revision as of 00:42, 10 June 2008
| This file may be deleted after Tuesday, 18 March 2008. | |
| Type of business | Joint Venture |
|---|---|
Type of site | video on demand |
| Founded | August 29, 2007 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Owner | NBC Universal and News Corp |
| Key people | Jason Kilar, CEO |
| URL | hulu.com |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | March 12, 2008 |
| Current status | active |
Hulu is a website that offers free, high-quality streaming video of TV shows and movies, primarily from NBC and FOX and their cable networks. Hulu has online social networking features, allowing users to clip videos, or parts of videos, from the site for posting in outside online communities. (Hulu has called this aspect video sharing, though users cannot upload content.)[1][2] Hulu videos are currently offered only to users in the United States.[3]
Hulu provides video in Flash Video format in a higher resolution and bit-rate than YouTube and other streaming video on the web, but lower than standard-definition television[4], though some films are available in 480P. For users, the service is free and ad-supported, with optional registration. Video downloading for offline viewing is not supported. Hulu also provides web syndication services for companies.
Content
Providers
Hulu distributes video both on its own web site and syndicated to other sites.[5] In addition to NBC and FOX programs, Hulu carries shows from the USA Network, Bravo, Fuel TV, FX, Sci Fi, Style, Sundance, G4, and Oxygen channels.
Television shows
Hulu offers full episodes and segments from over 400 different TV shows, some no longer on the air, some in syndication, and many currently shown only in the United States. Hulu allows users to share or edit these clips. Shows that get the most traffic on the site include Battlestar Galactica, The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Family Guy, The Office, Saturday Night Live, and American Dad!.
Movies
Hulu offers over 100 motion pictures that range from classic to modern films. Viewers have criticized Hulu for censoring some content from films.[6][7] Hulu also offers trailers for new and upcoming movies.
Technology
Hulu requires Adobe Flash 9 and is built on Ruby on Rails.[8]
History
The Hulu venture was announced in March 2007, with AOL, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo! planned as "initial distribution partners".[9][10] Jason Kilar, formerly of Amazon.com, was named CEO in June.[11] The name Hulu was chosen in late August, when the website went live, with an announcement only and no content. It invited users to leave their email addresses for the upcoming beta test.[12] In October Hulu began the private beta testing by invitation, and allowed users to invite friends.[13] Hulu launched for public access in the United States on March 12, 2008.[1]
Hulu is a joint venture of NBC Universal and News Corp, with funding by Providence Equity Partners, which made a USD$100 million equity investment and holds a 10% stake.[14]
The name Hulu comes from a Mandarin Chinese proverb, in which it means holder of precious things.[4] Literally, it refers (in Chinese) to the calabash gourd.[15]
References
- ^ a b
"Hulu.com Opens to Public". Press Room (Press release). Hulu. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|work= - ^ "Video Sharing". Product Tour. Hulu. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ "Hulu.com Account signup page". Hulu. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
- ^ a b Tim Stack (2008-03-28). "Hulu: Five Burning Questions". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Rebecca Dana and Emily Steel (2008-03-11). "Can Hulu Find Its Mojo With Viewers?". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ 'Hulu' May Be the Last Sound Joost Ever Hears
- ^ Hulu Discusses Private Beta, Suggests Public Launch Time Frame
- ^
"NBC Universal and News Corp. Accounce New Online Video Venture". Press Room (Press release). Hulu. 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|work= - ^ Nat Worden (2007-03-22). "Google's Still on Top". TheStreet.com. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^
"Jason Kilar Named Chief Executive Officer". Press Room (Press release). Hulu. 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|work= - ^ Nat Worden (2007-08-29). "Google's New Foe: Hulu". TheStreet.com. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^
"Hulu Debuts Via Private Beta". Press Room (Press release). Hulu. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|work= - ^ Shirley Brady (2007-08-29). "NBC and Fox Jump Through Hulu Hoop". Cable360.net. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^ "M.M.P.N.D. - Sorting Lagenaria names".