US online TV platform Hulu has reportedly dropped plans to enter the UK market after failing to reach key content agreements with Britain’s major broadcasters.
The Daily Telegraph reports the sticking points to have been ITV’s refusal to sell its content directly to third party online portals and the desire of Channel 4 and 5 to retain control of their advertising inventory.
The news will be welcomed by the Arqiva-owned SeeSaw, successor to Project Kangaroo, which while allowing the two channels to sell their own advertising has also fallen foul of ITV’s policy not to allow third parties access to its content.
Hulu, owned by News Corp, NBC Universal and Disney, has been a success in the US market where it offers streaming of on demand content. Windows are exercised in a different manner to that seen in the UK with broadcasters retaining their rights for at least seven days before content I released for catch-up.
