Viewers are accustomed to watching Hulu, the service that shows network TV programs over the Internet, for free. But a version of Hulu that will charge viewers for access will launch as early as this week, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The popular online service, which ranks second to Google Inc.’s YouTube in terms of numbers of videos watched, has been under pressure from its media owners, News Corp., NBC Universal and Walt Disney Co., to find new sources of revenue. The companies recognize that more people want to watch TV shows and movies online — but executives are loath to do so in a way that undercuts the lucrative cable contracts that underwrite the cost of producing expensive content.
Full story: Hulu pay version launch imminent | Company Town | Los Angeles Times