Music and film industries keen on copying the Hulu model

by Dan Leahul, revolutionmagazine.com 09-Jun-09, 15:30

LONDON - Internet firms are eagerly copycatting Hulu's popular approach to free ad-funded online content, with two companies - Epix, dubbed a 'Hulu for movies' and Vevo, the 'Hulu of music' scheduled for launch this year.

Epix, which launched in private beta today, is a feature-length film streaming website funded by major US studios Lionsgate, Paramount and MGM, which will stream blockbuster films in HD quality.

Hulu has led the way in the online television market in the US, with funding coming from all major US broadcasters except CBS, streaming full-length ad-funded prgogrammes.

Unlike Hulu, Epix is technically a paid for service. It's billed as a premium television channel which will be packaged in with US cable bundles.

Customers who are signed up for cable bundle will have free access to the company's online channel, which will air films weeks before their DVD release.

The service will be similar to Sky's Sky Player package, which allows users to watch films online through its Sky Anytime player.

Also like Hulu, Epix has not divulged plans to break into the UK, although it is understood that Hulu will be rolling out its service across the country early next year.

Vevo, 'Hulu for music' is a Universal Music and YouTube backed venture slated to launch later this year.

Vevo will be an online hub and database of music videos, hoping to make itself the MTV of the YouTube generation, putting the money back in music videos.

The company recently signed Sony Music as a major partner and is said to be in talks with EMI and Warner. Vevo also plans to air reality television shows and video blogs, and possibly sell keepsakes, albums and gig tickets.

Vevo will have a standalone website, as well as a dedicated channel on YouTube, where millions of music videos are watched for free everyday.