Hulu is expanding its live linear TV subscription offering with 14 additional channels, including content from Allen Media Group, Hallmark and music video-focused Vevo.
The new channels are rolling out in November and December, and bring the Hulu + Live TV channel count to more than 85.
Channels from Allen Media Group joining Hulu + Live TV include The Weather Channel, Comedy.TV, TheGrio Television Network, JusticeCentral.TV and The Weather Channel en Español. Hallmark content coming to the platform includes the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama. For Hallmark it marks the network’s latest streaming-focused announcement, after teaming up earlier this month with NBCUniversal’s Peacock to bring live linear and on-demand content to the subscription platform. Hulu's vMVPD live TV streaming service will also see six channels from music video network Vevo joining the mix, spanning pop, hip-hop, country, ‘80s, ‘90s, and holiday-themed channels.
Hulu indicated the latest additions are sought after channels from subscribers.
“We have been listening to our subscribers and are thrilled to bring some of their most requested channels to our service just in time for the holidays,” said Reagan Feeney, SVP of Live TV Content Programming and Partnerships for Hulu, in a statement. “With these additions, Hulu + Live TV continues to be one of the most valuable live TV streaming destinations on the market, offering subscribers access to more than 85 live channels and entire on-demand content libraries from Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.”
Disney, which owns a 66% stake in Hulu (with NBCU parent Comcast holding a 33% share) last week reported subscriber growth for Hulu + Live TV during quarterly earnings. For its virtual MVPD live TV offering, the Hulu base now stands at 4.4 million – growing 10% year over year after adding around 400,000 subscribers in the quarter. Hulu's SVOD-only service added around 600,000 in the period, for a total of about 42.8 million subscribers.
As for its content partners, the deals help expand distribution of several channels, with Allen Media Group’s Byron Allen pointing to expansion of its basic cable network portfolio.
“Partnering with Hulu is another major step in the continued growth and expansion of our Allen Media Group television networks,” said Byron Allen, founder, chairman, CEO of Allen Media Group, in a statement provided to Fierce. “Hulu is a phenomenal platform showcasing excellent content. We are thrilled to add our networks to the Hulu + Live TV lineup, and we look forward to a long relationship for years to come.”
AMG’s The Weather Channel and Comedy.TV have been available on Hulu + Live TV since November 1, and are now available in over 72 million and 42 million households in the U.S., respectively. TheGrio Television network JusticeCentral.TV and will be available on the service starting December 1, with the latter available in over 55 million households. According to AMG, reach marks new network distribution highs for Justice.TV, Comedy.TV, the Grio TV Network and TWC Espanol.
For Vevo, president Kevin McGurn said expansion of its free ad-supported streaming TV channels on Hulu's TV service is key to the company’s pursuit of growing commercial value of music videos and monetizing CTV.
“As the single largest FAST network in the world, we are thrilled to be joining the Hulu family with 6 Vevo channels, including our iconic Vevo Holiday channel. Our extensive premium catalog of music videos will be available for viewing beginning December 1, and we can’t wait for Hulu + Live TV viewers to be able to enjoy our 24/7 curation and programming,” McGurn commented via email. “Our TV network expansion is key to help us continue on our mission of growing the promotional and commercial value of the music video. This new partnership with Hulu + Live TV continues to put music videos back in the living room and grow our ability to delight viewers and monetize CTV worldwide."