Disney announced earlier today
that it intends to acquire an approximate 30 percent stake in Hulu, the online video site launched by NBC/Universal
and Fox network owner News Corp, a move that will let Hulu users watch
full-length ABC TV shows for free. The move, though not
unexpected, marks a victory for Disney and its ABC television programming: Not
only does the deal erase NBC’s and Fox’s early-mover advantage over ABC, but
Disney’s Hulu deal appears a bit sweeter than those of the other networks
because it requires them to make only certain episodes from a series available
on Hulu at any given time. The first taste may be at Hulu, but the full meal
will still be on Disney-controlled real estate. “It’s a far better deal than
than expected for ABC than it is for NBC and Fox,” Screen Digest senior analyst
Arash Amel told wired.com. “You might get a couple of episodes on Hulu, but the
entire back catalog is in the ABC full episode player, and then Hulu just
redirects you back to ABC,” added Amel. “Disney likes to hold onto control
where it can.” Soon-to-be added series include
Desperate Housewives, General Hospital, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Scrubs,
Ugly Betty, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The deal puts Disney content on
a wildly popular destination site where it will capture new eyeballs those who
expect to have content to come to them — not to have to chase it down at
multiple sites.