Hulu extends streaming deal with Viacom, expands library
More Viacom shows will get the streaming treatment on Hulu.
The streaming service announced Tuesday that it has renewed its distribution deal with the media company that allows it to replenish and expand its library of content from Viacom’s portfolio of cable networks, Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP and head of content wrote in a blog post.
The pact expands on the original deal that began in 2011 and gives Hulu, in the coming weeks, a wider grasp on programming from such networks as Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, TVLand, Spike, BET and Logo.
Under the pact, Hulu will expand its roster of kids’ shows with additional titles from Nickelodeon to its Hulu Kids section, including older series such as “The Ren & Stimpy Show†and “Hey Arnold!,†among others. Also being added to its library are Spanish-language versions of “SpongeBob SquarePants†and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.â€
The pay TV service is also adding select scripted series including Comedy Central’s “Workaholics,†MTV’s “Faking It,†and TVLand’s “Hot in Cleveland.â€
Its selection of in-season programming across Viacom’s networks, meanwhile, will continue. That means select content such as Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart†and the final season of “The Colbert Report,†will be available to stream a day after new episodes air, while other shows, such as MTV’s “Awkward†and “Happyland,†will be available 21 days after broadcast.
Hulu, which is a joint venture of Disney, 21st Century Fox and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, will also refresh content from past seasons of Viacom shows, adding full seasons of reality fodder such as VH1’s “Basketball Wives,†Love & Hip Hop†and “Mob Wives†and MTV’s “catfish,†“Ink Master,†“16 & Pregnantâ€, “The Hills,†“Jersey Shore†and more. More Comedy Central offerings such as “Drunk History,†“Kroll Show†and “Inside Amy Schumer,†to name a few, are also coming.
“All episodes will be added to Hulu over the next few weeks,†Erwich wrote, “giving you the perfect excuse to continue your fall TV binge.â€
While the deal beefs up the Hulu-Viacom relationship, it doesn’t quite measure up to Amazon’s Prime Instant Video inventory of Viacom content. Last year, Amazon paid its largest sum for a subscription-streaming deal in its pact with Viacom, that consisted mostly of children’s TV programs.
Twitter: @villarrealy
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