FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Hulu have announced a first-look deal for FME to distribute Hulu original series globally across all platforms, including traditional broadcast media. The partners said this is the first time an international distributor has signed such an agreement with an online video service.
The first Hulu title being shopped is Morgan Spurlock’s A Day in the Life, which returns for a second season today (March 12). The documentary series lets audiences view extraordinary person through a day that’s routine for them but is fascinating to anyone else. The new season includes a day each with chef Mario Batali, the Roots drummer and frontman Questlove, comedian Marc Maron, hip-hop duo Das Racist and others.
Hulu recently launched its first original scripted series, Battleground, a drama with comedic moments set in the world of political campaigns. Also, this summer it will launch Up to Speed, a travel series by auteur filmmaker Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunset) that stars historian and raconteur Timothy “Speed” Levitch (pictured – The Cruise, and the pioneering online content experiment We Live in Public).
Andy Forssell, Hulu’s senior vice president of content, said the partnership with FME would extend the reach of the “great TV” created by the independent storytellers with whom it collaborates on original programming.
David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises, said, “This is a ground-breaking deal, which sets a new precedent for acquiring content that can live on both digital and linear platforms, while identifying opportunities outside of the traditional distribution models.”
FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering licensing, distribution and home entertainment from operational bases in 22 countries. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programs as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the U.S.), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the U.K. and the U.S.), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Family Feud, The Price is Right and others.
Hulu was founded in 2007 and is jointly owned by NBCUniversal, News Corporation, the Walt Disney Company, Providence Equity Partners and members of the Hulu team.
Related links:
http://www.fremantlemedia.com/enterprises.aspx
Hulu blog post by Andy Forssell – http://tinyurl.com/7t9c85c
Press release – http://tinyurl.com/7wztslb
http://www.hulu.com/a-day-in-the-life
Richard Linklater – http://www.detourfilm.com
We seem to be moving towards different video providers all offering their own on demand options while having exclusive original programming. Netflix and Hulu are making their own shows, and HBO and Showtime are delving into video on demand streaming. The negative aspect for consumers is that these companies seem to be pulling their offerings from rival services.
Sarah
Mosaic Technology
http://www.mosaictec.com