In today’s world of streaming variety it looks like fans of Hulu may soon be able to add cable channels to their subscription services.
Variety announced that Hulu was looking to add cable channel options to their subscriptions for a low-cost. With younger demographics interested in detaching themselves from larger cable services, Hulu is looking to join the game of individualizing the viewers preferences.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Hulu is in the middle of negotiations with Fox and Disney, in an attempt to secure ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Fox, FX and Fox Sports 1 channels for the discounted package.
If Hulu can secure agreements with Fox and Disney, they will be joining other streaming service competitors Sony Corp.’s PlayStation Vue and Dish Network’s Sling TV. Hulu is looking to bundle channels and streaming content for customers with a price range of about $40 per month according to The Journal. This service is predicted to become available early 2017.
This is a great deal of savings for many customers in comparison to purchasing a cable service as well as a streaming service like Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, or HBO Now.
While progress is being made with Fox and Disney, no agreements have been reached with Comcast in regards to licensing any of their channels to the Hulu subscription. However, Comcast has been a part owner of Hulu for the past nine years, so it would be strange if none of the channels made it into the cost efficient bundle.
With streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix creating original content for viewers, Mike Hopkins, the chief executive of Hulu, is set to talk about their future creating original content at a presentation on Wednesday in New York City for advertisers.
The New York Times reports that one of Sanford C. Bernstein’s analysts Todd Juenger, recently said in a research note, that the Hulu package offering the streaming partnerships would allow television companies to make profit on the new venture but it would also come with risks.
One of the bigger risks that cable and satellite distributors might be worrying about is the loss of profit to another streaming competitor in the sum of millions.
All business talk aside, the idea of another streaming service giving the opportunity to watch new and old shows at a discount cost is exciting. No longer held back by cords and costs, we can all take our shows with us.