Just as we reported yesterday, Hulu has indeed gone into an agreement with BBC North America to bring the network’s popular series to Hulu. This includes such popular titles as Doctor Who, Top Gear, Sherlock, Luther, and Classic Favorites, Fawlty Towers and Blackadder to be included in the collection available on Hulu Plus
BBC Worldwide North America and Hulu confirmed with us today a non-exclusive, multi-year agreement to offer a rich BBC Worldwide content library on the U.S. Hulu Plus subscription service.
Hulu Plus has offered a broad variety of top UK programming since its launch, and this agreement makes the subscription service one of the premier destinations in the U.S. for premium British content. Beginning today, subscribers can start enjoying one of the widest online offerings of the acclaimed Doctor Who series, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, in addition to its popular spin-offs The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood, as well as natural history and factual programming including Blue Planet, Richard Hammond’s Crash Course, and many more.
This fall, internationally beloved series Top Gear, Sherlock, MI-5 and Luther will launch on Hulu Plus, as well as comedies such as Fawlty Towers, Twenty Twelve, and Blackadder; sci-fi favorites Bedlam, Red Dwarf, and Primeval; and natural history shows, including selections from David Attenborough’s Life in the…series, Life of Mammals and The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth. In addition, other titles like Upstairs, Downstairs, Wallander, and Bleak House will also be available.
Additional series will roll out throughout the year, giving Hulu Plus subscribers access to more than 2,000 episodes of new and landmark BBC Worldwide titles. A selection of BBC Worldwide library programs will rotate through the free Hulu.com service.
The deal was brokered by Beth Clearfield, SVP Digital Distribution on behalf of BBC Worldwide North America.
“Hulu has enjoyed a strong collaboration with BBC Worldwide North America, from international co-productions to breakthrough exclusive shows that have been embraced in the U.S. by extremely passionate audiences,” said Andy Forssell, acting CEO and Senior Vice President of Content for Hulu. “By adding this expansive collection of premium BBC Worldwide programming, Hulu Plus solidifies its role as a top streaming platform for the best British programming available in the U.S.”
“Hulu has been a fantastic partner and innovator bringing many BBC flagship programs exclusively to the U.S. online audience. We are proud to have worked with them to premiere key BBC Worldwide titles like Misfits and Moone Boy, and, more recently, the upcoming release of one of our first co-productions together, The Wrong Mans,” states Matt Forde, EVP Sales & Co-Productions. “With this exciting deal we hope the Hulu audience will continue to enjoy the shows they already love while discovering new gems to experience.”
Hulu and BBC Worldwide North America started their relationship in 2010. Since then, Hulu has established a dedicated following for UK comedy online with exclusive British television hits such as Misfits, Rev, Moone Boy and Pramface. In addition, Hulu and the BBC have co-produced the fourth season of The Thick of It and the upcoming Hulu original The Wrong Mans, starring award-winning actor and writer James Corden and Mathew Baynton, and directed by Jim Field Smith.
more info: hulu
