Hulu is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Seinfeld! Yes, you read that correctly, thirty years have passed since the first episode of the hit series premiered on NBC. Seinfeld aired for a total of nine seasons and wrapped in 1998.
Hulu bought the library of Seinfeld, a total of one hundred and eighty episodes, in 2015. The streaming platform spent approximately seven hundred thousand dollars per episode. Hulu not only has the all episodes available to view, but they are putting together collections of episodes based on themes, such as food, breakups, and crimes. There is also a Beginner’s Guide to help new viewers find highly regarded episodes.
Hulu is also marking the thirtieth anniversary on Friday, July fifth with a fun new way to watch the episodes. Viewers will be able to use the “Yada Yada Yada” button to randomly shuffle the episodes. So whether you are indecisive about which episode you want to watch or you just need something on while you yada, yada, yada, this new feature will be fun to check out on Friday.
Hulu is not the first streaming service to try a button to randomize episode viewing order. In April, Netflix tested the button on its mobile app with Android users. It is unclear whether or not Netflix will continue to test this feature or make it permanent. A Netflix spokeswoman told the Hollywood Reporter, “We are testing the ability for members to play a random episode from different TV series on the Android mobile app… These tests typically vary in length of time and by region, and may not become permanent.”
It is likely that Hulu is interested in spreading the randomized button to more of its programming and is testing the button on the popular comedy show. The popular show that Hulu is going to soon lose.
Hulu streamers may want to watch Seinfeld while they can because according to Pop Culture WarnerMedia has recently reclaimed Seinfeld. The show will remain on Hulu until the end of 2020 and then move to WarnerMedia’s new streaming service. WanerMedia has announced numerous plans for its streaming service, including a Gremlins prequel, Mad for Love, and Over My Dead Body with Elizabeth Banks.