Hulu to launch in Japan

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Hulu, the popular video website owned by media giants Comcast Corp., Walt Disney Co. and News Corp., is launching a subscription service in Japan.

The move is the first international expansion for Hulu, which carries a large library of popular movies and television shows. While the service will be free for one month to subscribers, after that it will be a pay service.

‘We are taking a first but important step to make good on our aspiration to serve customers all over the world,’ said Johannes Larcher, Hulu’s senior vice president of international operations.

Besides content from Disney, parent of ABC, Comcast, owner of NBCUniversal and News Corp., parent of Fox, Hulu will also offer content from CBS. This marks the first time CBS has done business with Hulu abroad or in the United States. Hulu also has deals for content to offer in Japan from Sony and Warner Bros.

Launched in 2008, Hulu’s owners have been shopping the company to potential bidders. Among those that have kicked the tires are Google, Yahoo, Dish Network, DirecTV and Amazon.

RELATED:

The case for holding on to Hulu

Hulu announces plans to launch service in Japan

Hulu rolls out its first long-form original production

-- Joe Flint