MUMBAI: The CW Television Network, a joint venture of US media conglomerate CBS Corporation and Warner Bros Entertainment, has announced a five-year licensing agreement with Hulu, a site and over-the-top (OTT) subscription service, for the rights to stream in-season episodes of The CW‘s programming on the Hulu Plus subscription service and the free, ad-supported Hulu service.
With this agreement, Hulu Plus will be the only online subscription service to carry in-season episodes of The CW‘s drama and reality series, with the five most recent episodes of each show available to subscribers the next day after broadcast. Users of the free, ad-supported Hulu service will be able to watch five episodes of current season programming eight days after airing on The CW.
Available later this year, programming on Hulu and Hulu Plus will begin with the nine series on The CW‘s Fall 2011 schedule, including new series Ringer, Hart of Dixie and The Secret Circle, as well as returning shows The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Supernatural, Nikita, 90210 and America‘s Next Top Model.
The CW president Mark Pedowitz said, "Our new arrangement with Hulu only affirms the incredible value of The CW‘s series, as well as amplifying the immense power of the broadcast network model. As we increase the amount of year round original programming on The CW, this deal provides our shows with greater exposure on a new platform, helping build even more awareness that will drive viewers back to the network and its affiliates. We see this as a win for everyone involved, the network, the stations, Hulu and ultimately, the viewers."
Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell said, "The CW programming is a great example of the kind of in-season content we want to make available on our service - high-quality, engaging, serialised shows that fans passionately love. Making these shows available on Hulu and Hulu Plus will allow new and existing fans to get their fix of The CW‘s great shows anytime and anywhere."
The new agreement with Hulu delivers more ways for viewers to catch up with The CW‘s serialised dramas and reality series, and provides the network with valuable off-air promotion and marketing to grow its brand, as well as increase awareness for its series. The CW‘s content can also be made available online through authenticated cable providers.
The CW, which last year introduced a digital convergence strategy for broadcast and online ad sales, will continue to present its programming on cwtv.com with a full complement of advertising, prior to streaming on the free Hulu service.
