Free video website Hulu is in talks with CBS Corp, Viacom Inc and Time Warner Inc to add their television shows to its planned paid subscription service, Bloomberg reported, citing people with direct knowledge of the discussions.
The Web site, owned by News Corp, General Electric’s NBC Universal and Walt Disney Co, would share subscriber income to encourage TV programmers to join, the news agency reported.
CBS would likely sign up if there are no demands for online exclusivity, and may begin providing programs after the TV season starts in September, the report said.
Viacom and Time Warner are seeking arrangements that do not threaten existing businesses or limit other opportunities, Bloomberg reported.
Hulu, CBS, Viacom and Time Warner could not be immediately reached for comment by Reuters outside normal U.S. business hours.
The sources cited by Bloomberg asked not be identified because the talks are private.
Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has emerged as one of the star players in online video, offering TV shows like “The Office,” “The Simpsons” or “Lost” as well as hundreds of full length movies. Advertising has enabled it to be free.
Earlier this month, sources told Reuters that Hulu was developing a subscription service to be rolled out on multiple devices like Microsoft Corp’s Xbox and Apple Inc’s iPad, in the next month or two.
