Hulu’s UK Expansion Plans Fall Apart

The only country mentioned by name in Hulu's terms of service document is the United States, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.  Hulu is said to have abandoned plans...
Hulu’s UK Expansion Plans Fall Apart
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  • The only country mentioned by name in Hulu’s terms of service document is the United States, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.  Hulu is said to have abandoned plans to offer content to individuals in the UK.

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    Hulu’s negotiations with UK broadcasters like ITV and Channel 4 have failed, according to Emma Barnett.  It seems that ITV is interested in building an online video player of its own, while other companies weren’t comfortable with letting Hulu sell advertising inventory around their content.

    This may or may not come as a surprise.  Hulu’s expansion into the UK has been in the works for quite some time, and the rumor mill had it on the verge of occurring more than once.  But it’s of course often not a good sign when what’s supposed to be a sure thing takes months and months to hammer out.

    So Hulu’s done bargaining for now.  Barnett wrote that "a source close to Hulu" said, "Hulu has been forced to walk away."

    Still, it’s possible that shows like Arrested Development and Firefly will become more accessible to folks in the UK at some point, considering that the anonymous source added, "But it remains hopeful that it can have a UK presence in the future – when the broadcasters realise they need to be more flexible with their business models."

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