Hulu strikes deal with Dailymotion

Online TV platform Hulu has signed a US distribution deal with Dailymotion, the French-owned video-sharing site, less than a month after pulling content from other third-party sites.

Hulu, a joint-venture between NBC Universal and News Corp, will add more than 40,000 clips and shows, including 30 Rock and Sesame Street to the Dailymotion catalogue.

The deal is currently exclusive to the US, with no details on whether it could be extended to Europe; Hulu is presently only available in North America.

Reports prior to the collapse of Project Kangaroo had suggested there had been discussions to use the platform to bring Hulu to UK audiences.

Joy Marcus, Dailymotion US general manager, said, “We’re confident our audience will benefit not only from the addition of such an impressive line-up of content but also from the premium entertainment experience offered by Dailymotion’s advanced technology.”

The move comes despite Hulu curtailing a contract with TV.com in February following a relaunch of the CBS-owned online TV platform (nma.co.uk 19 February 2009).

At the time a Hulu statement read: “Hulu has contractual rights with regards to our relationship with TV.com and we are exercising those rights. Out of respect for [its] confidentiality, we will not disclose our discussions.”

Today’s announcement continues Dailymotion’s strategy to position itself as a premium content video-sharing site. It partnered with last year’s Raindance film festival and also encourages up-and-coming filmmakers through its Motionmaker programme.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk