IDG News Service - News Corp. and NBC Universal Inc. on Monday debuted their joint-venture online video service Hulu.com with a private beta, adding a new rival to Apple Inc.'s iTunes and Google Inc.'s YouTube services.
Hulu joins Joost NV's video offerings in this increasingly hot and crowded space. While only opening on a limited basis to select users, Hulu is the first major initiative by content owners rather than technology companies that must rely on licensing agreements with television, film and music providers for their content.
Along with Hulu's own site, the company said its videos would be available through partners such as America Online Inc., MSN and MySpace.com, although links for Hulu on these sites were not apparent at the time of writing.
The company also said it had closed a $100 million round of financing from Rhode Island-based private equity firm Providence Equity Partners Inc.
Hulu's beta and service -- the launch date for which has yet to be announced -- include a few full-length films, and clips and full episodes from shows such as The Simpsons, Prison Break and House. Hulu will offer video content on an advertising-driven basis that is free to users.
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