CBS may participate in TV show streaming site Hulu's premium service 'Plus'

CBS, which airs shows like the Big Bang Theory, CSI and Survivor, may make a move to release its TV content through online steaming site Hulu’s premium subscription service, Hulu Plus, according to a report by Bloomberg. NBC, ABC, and Fox all offer their content through Hulu’s free service, but CBS has long been a holdout.

Still, the network isn’t making a firm commitment. CBS CEO Leslie Moonves told Bloomberg the company might consider participating in Hulu’s premium service eventually.

Hulu is a free, ad-supported way for viewers to watch content from several of the largest broadcast networks online. Hulu Plus, announced earlier this year, will offer additional content (such as older shows) in HD to mobile devices, video game consoles and smart TVs as well. Hulu unveiled the premium service in June earlier this year.

Hulu was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between News Corp, Disney, NBC Universal and private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. Hulu Plus, which will cost users $9.99 a month, is currently in “preview” mode with a limited number of users, and an official launch date for the service has not been released yet.

Hulu is valued at around $2 billion, according to a report by the New York Times, suggesting the company was preparing for an initial public offering based on the immense popularity of the service.

  • http://www.dainsmoviereviews.com Dain Binder

    This would be a great move; I hope CBS follows through.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VNI5YNHQ5DNX7KWFJFZUTMTHOM Tremonisha S

    This would be a wonderful move. I really love the episodes of Big Bang Theory that I have been able to watch, but I do all my TV watching (except local news) via streaming netflix or streaming on my computer. I would love to catch up on the past episodes of this show and then be able to follow it weekly via internet, but I can't find any legal U.S. site that streams it.

    What I believe CBS doesn't understand (or care about?) is that my loyalty to a show will lead me to spend more and more money on it. I will by T-shirts, books about the program, and even DVDs of the show, but only if I am able to develop brand loyalty, so to speak, by watching it.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWYDPBX3J7XXNBYFBQKNF2SO5U Bridgette Baker

    I am on this one with you guys.

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