Hulu Plus: Stream Video Everywhere for $10 a Month
Hulu launches $10 subscription service for computers, TVs, Apple devices.
June 29, 2010— -- Fans of the online video site Hulu are about to get more of their favorite programs wherever they want them, whenever they want them.
In a first attempt to charge for content, Hulu today announced a paid subscription plan called Hulu Plus that gives users access to full current seasons of popular network shows like "The Office," "Glee" and "Grey's Anatomy."
"Introducing Hulu Plus: More wherever. More whenever. Than ever," Hulu CEO Jason Kilar wrote on the company's blog today . "The Hulu Plus service is our answer to the question of 'What if your favorite TV shows loved you back?'"
Since its launch in March 2007, Hulu, which is partly owned by ABC News' parent company The Walt Disney Co., News Corp., General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal and Providence Equity Partners, has not charged users for watching video.
Kilar said that Hulu Plus will not replace the regular service but will complement it.
For $9.99 a month, he said subscribers will be able watch every episode of current TV shows, as well as back seasons or full runs of some of television's greatest programs.
Hulu CEO: Hulu Plus Is 'Treasure Chest in the Cloud'
Among the new service's offerings: All nine seasons of "The X-Files," all three seasons of "Arrested Development," every single episode of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" and favorite skits from the first five and most recent five seasons of "Saturday Night Live."
"It's a treasure chest in the cloud for TV lovers," said Kilar.
Upon its launch today, the new service will be available on computers, Apple's iPhone, iPad and iTouch and Samsung televisions and Blu-ray players. Eventually, it will move to Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox.
Kilar said the new service gives TV lovers a way to get their fix no matter where they are.
For Invites to Hulu Plus, Follow Hulu on Twitter, Facebook
To sign up for Hulu Plus, users can visit the Hulu website to request an invitation, which Kilar said will be sent out in waves.
He also said the company will give out invitations to random sets of people who follow Hulu on Twitter or who "Like" Hulu on Facebook.
Once the company is ready, he said they'll remove the invitation layer and immediately welcome new subscribers.