Hulu, like Amazon and Netflix before it, has revealed that it will soon allow users to download content for offline viewing.
Although Hulu had indicated before that downloadable content was in its plans, CEO Mike Hopkins has now offered some details about when users can expect the feature. Speaking with Adweek, Hopkins said the function is on Hulu’s “road map.”
“It's something that we're going to be doing in a few months. We're working hard on the technology around that and getting the rights squared away,” Hopkins said.
Hulu Senior VP and Head of Experience Ben Smith said something similar in late 2016.
Speaking this week at a mobile event held at the University of California at San Francisco, Smith said, “We're working on it, and we're not alone. We'll get there, for sure, in our industry.”
RELATED: Netflix finally enables downloads; Hulu could soon follow
Hulu’s confirmation of its intent to offer downloads means three of the biggest U.S. SVOD services offer downloads. After Amazon announced the feature in July of last year, Netflix formally announced it in November.
“While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we’ve often heard they also want to continue their Stranger Things binge while on airplanes and other places where Internet is expensive or limited,” blogged Eddy Wu, director of product innovation for Netflix. “Just click the download button on the details page for a film or TV series and you can watch it later without an internet connection.”
Elsewhere in the interview with Adweek, Hopkins offered up more information on the upcoming live TV streaming product from Hulu. Talking about Hulu’s livestreaming deal with CBS—something competitor DirecTV Now has yet to secure—Hopkins said CBS content is important because Hulu intends its live TV offering to be “sports-centric.”
Hopkins also said that he expects Hulu will get distribution deals in place with NBCUniversal—the only big broadcaster that it hasn’t signed a deal with yet—as well as programmers like Discovery and A+E Networks before the service launches in months.